Celtic v Lille, Live updates
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Thanks to the fholks that commented on my post yesterday afternoon. Didn’t want to respond on the build up to the game but I think Brendan Rodgers – so called – midnight flit is worth examining.
SQUIRE DANAHER @ 3:44 PM
“And I’m sure in good time there will be another story to be told regarding the circumstances surrounding the departure of K Tierney.
25 million good reasons.
HENRY JOY @ 3:49 PM
“To throw in the towel on the eve of European contention at the top table summed up Brendan Rodgers cowardice as a man, compromised forever both professionally and personally.
TONTINE TIM @ 5:37 PM,
The move and narrative were controlled by the Celtic Board, they blackened Brendan Rodgers’ name and didn’t come clean as they didn’t want any blame.
*pretty much accurate until you got tae the above, he blackened his own name by leaving when he did with a League and Cup tae win. Was he afraid he wisnae up tae it or did slippy have his number. We’ll never know unless the latter ends up in the EPL and hands him another thumpin.
Now, I’m not sure what the eve of European contention for the top table refers to but the points are well made.
My defence of Brendan Rodgers and his staff from the summer of 2018 onwards has two prongs at that time.
Firstly, I felt BR and his staff and set up were a great fit for Celtic, my belief was they should have been allowed to get on with running the football department unhindered.
Secondly, my trust in the Board and their ambition for Celtic had disappeared, with good reason, the evidence was mounting as to how these people operated and it wasn’t in the best interests of the football club or it’s historical ethos.
So back to the first point, I believe that Brendan Rodgers had signed a new contract with Celtic and expected to honour it.
My thoughts are BR had come to Celtic to re- invigorate his reputation. He also stated his intention to return to England, yet he already had, had offers from the also rans, he didn’t want to go back there, he wanted a top six team.
That meant Celtic being outstanding domestically and good in Europe.
After his second season it became apparent Celtic would have to improve to really dominate and play well domestically and to be competitive in Europe.
He got other offers to manage Clubs, including an offer from Leicester and a very lucrative offer from China by all accounts, yet it was a top six English team he wanted – so he reached agreement with Celtic; he was in charge of the football department, more money for him, a huge release clause (that wouldn’t have been a problem for most of the big six) and backing from the Board to improve the team.
Now, the Celtic Board had other ideas, if they were going to stick to the letter of the agreement, they certainly wouldn’t be sticking to the spirit of it. PL would still be de-facto Director of Football, BR wouldn’t get all the players he wanted, the Board would sell the players they wanted and if BR didn’t like it he knew what he could do… after all, to get his move he’d have to find a Club willing to pay the release clause. It’s all about the profit for this Board.
So inevitably we then got the mess that was the 2018 summer transfer window, after that, BR knew he couldn’t work with the Board, he also knew he was unlikely to get a big six gig on the back of the squad he had. (Remember Celtic got pumped out of the UCL by AEK Athens).
So, the relationship and trust between the Board and the football department broke down to the level it was completely dysfunctional. BR and his staff needed to look for a different stepping stone, the Celtic Board were looking for the compensation.
Then good aul Leicester City come in looking for BR and his staff again – a win~win, Celtic and BR would have to seriously consider. Yet at first I don’t think Leicester City wanted to pay the huge amount of compensation, Celtic stuck to their guns.
By the end of February things had changed, Celtic had been knocked out of the EUL and BR knew he wasn’t going to get a top six offer on the back of Celtic’s performance. Leicester City’s manager knew he was for the off and their form and league placing was falling like a stone, a European place for 2019/20, was looking unlikely for them.
So, in February 2019 all parties struck a deal – bad timing if your a Celtic fan but very convenient for all other parties involved.
Yes, Brendan Rodgers did blacken his own name, he did leave his team and the supporters in the lurch.
Yet the Celtic Board was the main cause but by being one step ahead and controlling the narrative (no doubt NDAs on the compensation package), used the smsm and social media to make it look like BR and his team had done a midnight flit, left Celtic high and dry and wanted to take the whole of the backroom staff with them.
It was of course falsehoods, the offical Club statement and the announcement to the stock exchange had nothing but praise for BR. Who has gone on to show his qualities elsewhere – the Celtic Board remained and have also shown their qualities, or to be precise a total lack of quality.
Hail Hail
On Sunday I would retain the energy of Turnbull, Soro and Henderson maybe McGregor more forward never a defensive mid he is like a skittle getting knocked over in the midfield, these guys are mobile good on the ball keep it simple, in Soro we seem to have a guy who knows how to tackle and break up attacks pretty well, Lille were a strong fit pacy and technically a good side, we do not play against this here, maybe Sevco can play like that, so they will cope fine, these guys should be the picks now in a middle 3, if we are going to play 3 at the back we need a left footed defender who is quick to cover the hole for the left wingback, if its 4 Laxalt or Taylor would be fine but they must be instructed not to bomb forward, right side is Ajer either as a right back or right of a 3, the right wingback looks up for grabs with Forrest out, many regulars now do not have a place until one becomes available through injury or form.
I would move on Barkas Christie Ntcham Rogic and Eddie in January if he isnt staying, Christie doesnt appear to want to sign a deal and Ntcham it hasnt worked out not sure how he seems the game or what his position is, get the best money we can then.
Still want a change of manager and coaches Sevco have shown us how to build an effective team while we wasted fortunes and of course the term of the CEO has long since expired.
Left sided Centre back and a Striker for me in January, play Hazard he might save us looking for a first choice keeper, we dont know what we have until they get games.
If we keep playing like we did last night the 10 is certainly not gone,
Also if we are to chase down the Hun being out of Europe & out of League Cup is a blessing.
It will give us free dates to play our games in hand.
No European Travel etc,
Drew 1967 – You would have been well gone with that Ref.
Big Jimmy – The old ones are the best.
When I see a Polis motor pull up I’m normally on my marks, get set and off.😂
D :)
re broonie
as per italian press, celtic’s motm v milan
they said he was everywhere
could broonie + soro be a defensive 2 v huns ?
(was delighted to see soro get his chance)
BIG JIMMY on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 8:48 AM
Was that Jimmy Tarbuck or Bob Monkhouse? LOL
Big Jimmy
It is exactly 1 mile to walk my local pub. 1.5 miles on the way back
The difference is – staggering
./_/
CHAIRBHOY on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 9:04 AM
Your arguments are well made until you include the fact that Leicester said they were willing to wait until the end of the season but Rodgers insisted on going straight away; the Celtic Board were happy fro him, to go in the summer – they would still get their £9M. He could have waited but chose not to. That is my beef with him. He walked early to suit his own agenda.
KTF
Play Turnbull,Soro,Henderson,and give Welsh a start ,replacing Duffy who is prone to big mistakes,and I forgot about Kimala,who if one thing puts a shift in,So there is no excuses for not playing these players,and more games they play the fitter they will become,and no disrespect to Killie,but Lillie are a better team than them ,I know one thing if Lennon try’s tried and trusted ones on Sunday my heart will sing,and like a lot of games I have watched with his teams selections,sad to say I haven’t had a appetite watching them,nothing to shout or excited about.
Big Jimmy @ 8:21
Agree with you re Calum last night.
Appalling, needless error gifted Lille their first goal.
Stepping up to take the penalty just a few minutes later took a fair bit of courage.
Well done that young man.
BTW – it was a brilliant penalty.
Hail hail
Keep The Faith
Young Turnbull’s corner kicks got off to a poor start, the first one sent in didn’t clear the first defender but then . . . . it clicked. Corners and FKs were being pinged into areas that created chances and a goal. After months of watching dire set pieces being under hit and over hit, this was a real tonic. With Duffy, Ajer and Julien playing we should be scoring loads more goals from corners.
Another thing I may have imagined last night, we were taking throw ins quicker and with more purpose as players wanted to receive the ball rather than hide.
But biggest takeaway has to be Soro and Turnbull’s midfield partnership. God only knows what the coaching staff see at training that has justified keeping them out of the team until now. Especially Soro who has been with us for almost a year.
VFR @ 9:54 AM,
Good to see you posting.
No doubt he walked to suit his own agenda, yet I believe the scenario you mention was the case in the January and all had agreed to wait until the summer. However after the Leicester City sacked manager Claude Puel that changed.
Leicester City needed a manager pronto and weren’t prepared to wait. They paid extra compenstion as they could have got Rodgers cheaper in the summer…
The Foxes could have paid much less in the summer but chose to land their man immediately after Claude Puel’s sacking.
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/full-amount-compensation-revealed-leicester-take-brendan-rodgers-celtic
Celtic could have refused to let them go, imo the Board wanted BR gone and they wanted the higher compensation. So it suited Celtic’s agenda also.
Remember Celtic PLC kept the compensation received a secret.
Hail Hail
Terrific takeaways from last night that should give us a platform to learn from, starting against Killie.
The shape was good – We pushed 15 yards further up and that wee brammer Soro kept us well protected down the middle. Laxalt and Moi were very effective down the left in a hardworking way.
Creativity was much better – Turnbull moved forward at every opportunity and dead balls/ corners were actually dangerous. Big Ajer even gave us an outlet at RB.
Energy, drive and gallousness – All there, unshackled. Even Klimala’s energy up front was great to see.
Big, big game on Sunday. Different challenge. Killie will be low block galore and so creativity, energy and youthful pace a must to unlock them.
I’d bring in Christie and play him (needs to up his game) and Turnbull as No. 8s, Soro at Number 6 and maybe Callum at 10 (or rest him ideally and play Tam Rogic). Bank of 4 (Ajer, Welsh, Julien and Laxalt) and 2 up front (Klimala and Eddie).
Can we capitalise on what we learnt? Here’s hoping. Big calls for Neil on Sunday.
HH
From Leicester’s perspective, that 9 million compensation has been an absolute bargain. Rogers has been a superb appointment for them. The clock is once again ticking for him though, he needs a bigger job sooner rather than later. He would be a good fit for Man Utd, now that Sinatra is but a distant memory.
If lenny drops Soro & Turnbull on Sunday regardless of the result his time will be up by 3:01.
I still have my doubts he will play them and this talk of 2 games in three days for 22 year olds doesn’t wash.
These guys would have been champing at the bit to get their chance and did brilliant last night and should be the new first picks until form dictates.
Ajetis sniper shot theatrics last night reminded me of my first (and last ) attempt at a full twisting somersault
( with half pike)……….. completed at Whiteinch Baths ( circa 1979) in an ill-fated attempt to impress the stunningly good-lookin’ Rosemary Boyle………….
NoRunnin’ No Divin’ CSC
DENIABHOY @ 10:26 AM,
Yes, Leicester City were 12th in the EPL when BR took over. They finished 5th and got a European place.
The higher placing in the EPL and UEL qualification already has paid it back.
Hail Hail
had a sneaky wee peek at the ole Inbox there and delighted with the response following last night’s game. Annoyingly the Inbox is currently showing “going for 55” so another email as quickly as possible please then it’s onward towards 67…..then 88…. Delighted with the thought of a busy evening ahead – polls close at 10pm CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM
With a quick wee read back…..
…………A sellick
Victory , success and triumph etc etc etc………….seems not to inspire some of the more fervent “characters”……….oan the aul’ bhlog…………….
Funny that, aye………..!
HH.
Pitymen@10.26am – Agreed about 21, 22 year olds not being able to play 2 games in 4 days it utter crap.
These guys have been training since they were 5 years of age ffs.
2 or 3 games in a week is what they are dying to do.
Before anyone starts with recovery time blah, blah, blah, does Messi or Ronaldo play every game available you can bet your bottom dollar they do, as the manager will want them on that field every game because he wants to win every game.
D :)
One swallow does not a summer make – however lots of positives from last night.
Sunday will be back to playing against a team with 10 defenders – hopefully the young guns can continue with a bit of speed and not so much back and across – rinse and repeat.
Pitymevin- sorry
Jobo – totally forgot about that flash-in-the-pan Turnbull! ;)
Can I have another go?
Last night was a dead rubber for us but Lille had skin in that game. They’ve rested a few but that’s easily one the best teams we’ve came up against.
A good win but the question has to be asked – where were Soro & Turnbull for the last three months ?
Competition for places lifts the whole squad and for Lennon to continue to play the same failing central midfield all season calls into question his judgement.
Seeing Soro shield our central defenders effectively was a joy to be hold last night.
DENIABHOY on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 10:26 AM
Looking at the transfer fees paid for players, a decent manager is worth its weight in gold.
When you consider the profits Leicester have made in recent years on Chilwell, Mahrez. Maguire, Kante, £9m for a quality manager is a no-brainer.
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 12:20 AM
That is brilliant.
An Dun,
If you are of the belief that the problem is confidence then you’ll continue to play them until they crack that. I think that’s a lot to do with Neil’s loyalty factor.
Sunday could be defining in whether he gives that up or persists with it.
HH
AN DÚN on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 11:03 AM
Competition for places lifts the whole squad and for Lennon to continue to play the same failing central midfield all season calls into question his judgement.
—————————————————————————–
Exactly and I think I made the point earlier that when Lennon says he can’t put his finger on why performances have been so poor, I believe complacency and not having your place under pressure is a massive issue. If you can put in a non-descript performance but know you’ll still get picked, that does start to breed stagnation.
Knowing there are players who can come in and perform should give a bit of a kick up the backside to the regulars too – Lennon’s message needs to be, nobody is undroppable.
An dun
It’s disappointing that Neil continued with the brown Christie Calum mid even though it was achieving little. Many on here and elsewhere have been calling for soro and Turnbull to start.
AN DÚN – as you will know, Soro joined us last January. SInce then there have been approx 7 months of games of one sort or the other. Astonishing it has taken this long to give him a full game, So many times he could have been played to give Brown a rest.
Not like last night would have come as a surprise to those who see him training every week yet pick Brown, Ntcham, Christie and Rogic regardless of how poor they have been playing . . .
GENE on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 10:52 AM
One swallow does not a summer make – however lots of positives from last night.
—————
Gene or is that One Sorro.. shameles attempt at re typing my attempt at Humour from last night.😂
TLT. Loved it as I am sure the rest of the blog did.😂
Sorro and Turnbull are must starts anything else is treason.
D :)
David 66
Soro seemed to be the hardest word when it came to team selection.
But of course we failed to keep a clean sheet 😫
Leicester City Quick News
Gene – 😂
https://twitter.com/TonyGreen67/status/1337173557785321472?s=08
No problem David66.
Henderson looked very good as well, and we didn’t continuously hit the first man with crosses. I’m a a complete loss as to why someone in the team didn’t tell Christy he wasnt taking corners anymore.
No leadership on the field, because as sure as F*** even in Sunday league if you hit the first man twice you would have got dogs abuse from the big lazy arse defence because they had to run all the way up the park for nothing.
Come on Celtic a bit of fight and get each other told