We have reached a point now where it is so obvious, it does not need to be said; Celtic are a vastly better team with Callum McGregor in the deep-lying midfield role. From there he can see the game before him, which allows him to dictate where to move play, and how quickly.
Opponents are reluctant to get too close, as he has the control and speed to go past them, whereas, team-mates within 40 yards know when the ball is heading towards him, they better be on their toes, as a pass could be heading their way.
The difference between Celtic with McGregor in the deep position, and either McGregor playing elsewhere on the field, or not at all, is stark. The former means we create a plethora of chances, the latter sees us try to pass teams into submission.
Saturday’s demolition of Hearts saw Callum at his creative best, but it was the previous week’s game at Murrayfield that was more informative. Celtic were very ordinary before Callum moved off the wing to replace the injured Eboue Kouassi.
With Callum in this form, Ryan Christie is in the form of his life, Scott Sinclair can click through the gears, while Tom Rogic and James Forrest are under less pressure to carry the team. At a different club, Callum would have been groomed for this role from an early age.
Founding Fathers’ Fast
Tuesday 6 November
Tomorrow is the 131st anniversary of the meeting convened by Br Walfrid, where it was decided to form a football club to feed the poor of the city. To mark this occasion, the Celtic FC Foundation has invited Glasgow’s homeless to Celtic Park for a hot meal.
To mark the anniversary and recognise the on-going work on behalf of the homeless, the Foundation is holding the Founding Fathers’ Fast, where you are asked to fast for the day and donate £5 here in honour of those founding principles.
For most of us, a day’s fasting will do us no harm, and may even be a good thing. More information here.
234 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- »
Gene,
You are correct. Tackling has gone out of the game in Europe.
Celtic only tackle as a last resort, as, even in Scotland, where tackling is considered an art form, we get penalised for the slightest contact.
It is about keeping possession, good first touch and movement, when we have the ball.
When we don’t, it is about pressing and forcing mistakes, by not allowing opponents time on the ball to raise their heads.
We have to defend from the front, which is something we failed to do in Salzburg and Leipzig.
Hi Ghuys,
Got this message from MurdochAuldandHay just over half an hour ago:
Hi Lenny that’s me back in ward aft op which seems to have went well Consultant happy with the result. So good news mate. Bit sore though & can’t speak but everything a ok otherwise. Time to bring on the liezperbers on Thursday HH.
Seems to be in good spirits and positive.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lennybhoy
Excellent news.
JJ
Sounds good for MAH?
!!BADA BING!!
How is WEET WEET WEET getting on with his recovery ?
Good to hear. Keep well MA&H
good man stevie bhoy
Good news about MAH, all the best.
Very very very sneaky by Virgin Trains to make 2 brewdogs and a held bottle of merlot amount to £16.90.
Instant ‘up-sell’ with a bag of nuts added to the order!
HH jg
https://youtu.be/ayuooyWPEUc
DBHOY
The WOMBATS -Lets dance to joy division
A couple of other of their songs worth a listen
CHEETAH TONGUE and GREEK TRAGEDY ….
Totally agree paul67
A remarkable achievement by BR to generate the capacity for this in the team and we still have broon/ON when needed cmcg won’t be worth a knackers if there’s no one to pass to – cue resurgence of SS and growing up of RC.
Great News from MAH, Thank God. Now let’s hope things kick on from here and he get’s the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.
hi bhoys just got in, great news about Murdoch auld and hay.ynwa.hh.
really excited about calum McGregor, always liked him, but playing in this role, it brings his talents to the fore.hh.
“Celtic are a vastly better team with Callum McGregor in the deep-lying midfield role”
Yes providing he is at the top of his game – are we going to assume that he is always going to be on top of his game?
Way too early for such a conclusion – lets wait and see how it works out when the going gets tough again,
We are in a purple patch as is Callum – sincerely hope it lasts forever but doubt it.
Rock Tree Bhoy…why do you doubt it?
RTB…and as you already know…nothing lasts forever….
except my hatred of huns, sfa, orange order, masons etc. etc…
Good evening CQN from a noisy Garngad
Thanks for all the birthday wishes.???
An Tearman???? from this morning regarding my 10 IAR post, point taken.
HH
D. :)
MAH brilliant news… God Bless?
D. :)
mah
great news.
Jamesgang joins such illustrious company as Paw Broon and Oor Wullie as being only the third person ever to get “drookit”
StoorieBurnCSC
MA&H
Brilliant news.
HH
DEDRYCK total bombscare, – liability, – nightmare – big coward BOYATA will be out of contract at the end of the season and can walk away from Celtic for nothing.
However, Brendan Rodgers hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the Belgian World Cup centre-half remaining at the champions.
Boyata created controversy when he refused to travel for the crucial Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens where the Hoops lost 2-1 to topple out of Europe’s elite competition on a 3-2 aggregate.
The Hoops knocked back a £9million bid from newly-promoted Premier League outfit Fulham for the player who had performed well for his nation in Russia.
Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld was among those who insisted the 27-year-old defender should never be allowed into Parkhead again, but, remarkably, Boyata, who cost £1.5million when Ronny Deila bought him from Manchester City in June 2015, did return and scored the only goal of the game against Hamilton Accies on August 26.
He has been a consistent performer ever since even if he blotted his copybook with a last-minute sending-off in the Befred League Cup quarter-final 1-0 win in Perth in late September.
Asked about the chances of Boyata remaining at the champions, Rodgers answered: “There is always a possibility, but we just have to see. It is between him and the club.
“What is good is Dedryck is focused and playing well. His development in the last couple of years has been fantastic.
“All I ask, whether they are here for one day more, is they give their all. I can ask no more from Dedryck because that’s what he has done.”
Boyata will also be able to talk to interested clubs in January as his contract nears completion.
Awe_Naw_ No_Another_£9million_Bid CSC
TAL
? HH
They gave us….. Murdoch, Auld and Hay…..
What more could you ask for?
Stephen, lots of love big stuff
HH jg
watching BBC News at 6 reporting on gang violence in London. They mention falling rates of same crimes in Glasgow whie showing a clip of Paradise taken through a car window.
The pictures seemed totally at odds with the story but someone decided to use this particular piece of film with a story about drug gangs
Maybe Im just paramoid
Paul67
Sorry mate apples n’ pairs, different strokes for different folks, and Brown will resume duty when fit in a familiar role IMHO and we won’t have two holding.
Wherever Broony fits its;
Superb man management by Brendan Rodgers has given us Dedryk Boyata and Filip Benkovic the best centre back pairing we’ve had since Virgil Van Dijk and Jason Denayer?. This along with the excellent Kris Ajer as next in line has been pivotal for our back four, completed by Mikael Lustig and Keiran Tierney.
This new solidity has been the rock that has seen us restore natural order in the SPL and sets us up to achieve the next home points in the Europa Cup, and although only on loan Benkovic gets better with every game as evidenced with his towering headed goal yesterday.
It has allowed BR to introduce Ryan Christie to good effect along with the re- introduced Scott Sinclair, we have been a joy to watch taken full points in the big games and turning the screw since Perth. Stalwarts Forrest Rogic, and McGregor have flourished and demolished every conceivable midfield we’ve met.
Happy Days bring on the Leipzig CSC
Just when you think Shortbread can’t get any worse – Gordon Smith appears!
MAH big smile!
GLASSTWO
Reserved occupations?
‘Rangers are set to upgrade Ibrox with improved facilities for players and staff on matchdays.
The Light Blues’ director of football Mark Allen said the upgrades were with a mind of creating a better working environment for players at the stadium.
A new dining area and gym are set to be installed as well as a players’ lounge and the manager’s office is set to be moved closer to the home dressing room.’
Is this code for portacabins?
And since when have they got a director of football?
“At the going down of the SUMS we will remember you”
Hope it’s not long till broonie is back , no doubt cmcg is playing very well . But if a bit of battling needs done ,it’s broonie for me , on Saturday I witnessed a few assaults on our players , none more so than young Lewis morgan , an action that merited a straight red , but for me not one celtic player made any remonstration towards the thug . Hurry back Scott .
MARSPAPA
I’m doing well thanks,periferal vision back to normal,so can get back to doing a bit of driving,still getting a bit of physio for my left leg,glad to hear MAH got on well today
Thanks again for your concern, question. Are you Billy )))
H H
Hi Bhoys
The Boss,The E Street Band and Tom Morello – The Ghost Of Tom Joad
MESMERIZING
KEEP THE FAITH
Evening all.
Sensitive subject but, IMHO, needs aired.
Am pleased with the sentence that was passed down to a child abuser today.
Really hope this brings some closure to the victims.
From Celtic FC’s perspective, (even forty years on) I’d like to know how this man was able to reconnect with our club.
Stein and Kelly were gone – I suspect ignorance, incompetence and indifference were factors (i have no evidence – just recall these qualities in abundance generally from those who ran our proud club back then).
Finally – I don’t advocate violence and would never pass judgement on Big Jock – but part of me would be quite happy if the rumours that Mr Stein battered this guy when he found out could be verified at this late stage.
Hail hail.
WEET WEET WEET on5TH NOVEMBER 2018 6:52 PM
If i asked you who you looked like
Watty or Kenny lol…..means you need a haircut and a shave aul yin .
Great news you’ve got some of your independace back .
Billy ??