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Celtic vastly better with McGregor in deep-lying role

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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.

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  2. Dbhoy on

    MM just seen your 11.29 post

     

     

    Bumped into a guy who went to my high school a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned there was a big do happening soon.Like me he was struggling to get down for a game because of other commitments. Very rarely miss a game though, loving the way we’re playing at the moment. A joy to watch.

     

     

    HH

  4. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    Great news, if confirmed, about Christie signing a long term contract.

     

     

    The boy deserves it, not just for his recent form but also for his self belief.

     

    He went out on loan, backing himself, to gain first team football in order to return and fight for his place.

     

    He adapted to the gym programme, with obvious results.

     

    His vision has paid off.

     

    I think that the lad has had the benefit of good, sound advice, I suspect from his dad.

     

     

    We have a player who I believe will give us more than Armstrong and Mc.Ginn would have.

  5. Melbourne Mick on

    DBHOY understand completely, family first.

     

    Tropical storm here at the moment, thought i would need to

     

    rescue the postie there, he passed the window on his wee moped

     

    and looked as though he was surfing 8-))

     

    Melbourne cup day here as well, think the horsies will have to

     

    wear floats, think i’ll back any with names like dolphin, or fish,

     

    in them.

     

    It’s an omen i tell ye.

     

    GAMBLINSFURMUGS.CSC

  8. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Wee Ozzie Daniel.

     

     

    ACL injury.

     

    Hope it`s not related to having the wrong studs / cleats.

     

     

    Absolute shame.

  9. Melbourne Mick on

    MACJAY1

     

     

    Morning my fellow Antipodean tim, whats this, all your tropical

     

    stuff coming down to us Melburnians?

     

    Had a wee glance at the runners there in the cup.

     

    Ventura Storm…must be worth a dollar in this weather.

     

    Prince of Arran…Always rained when i was there.

     

    Prince of Moher… lovely place in Co. Clare.

     

    Decisions…

     

    H.H Mick

  11. Melbourne Mick on

    Everybody in bed?

     

    Those photo’s of the cliffs of Moher, you would swear that was

     

    the Great Ocean Rd here across from the rebel peninsula but

     

    without the sandy beaches.

     

    Another interesting fact from WIKI… The legendary Dusty Springfields

     

    ashes were scattered there by her brother Tom.

     

    H.H Mick

  13. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    MELBOURNE MICK on 6TH NOVEMBER 2018 1:14 AM

     

     

    And a large G`day to yourself , my fellow antipodean Tim.

     

    Must say , I thoroughly enjoy your yarns ( as the bushies call them ) about your extended family and the fun you have with them , in particular the fitba aspect.

     

    I particularly love the way you promote Timdom in this country.

     

    Something I have always tried to do.

     

    More grease to your elbow.

     

     

    As for the Melbourne Cup . Not my cup of tea.

     

    My brother whose bookies line name I have adopted , tried to get me interested .

     

    Hamilton , Lanark , Ayr etc.

     

    Without success. :-(

     

     

    Enjoy the day , mate.

     

    Regards and

     

    Hail Hail

  18. David66 on

    Good morning CQN from a dark and mild Garngad

     

     

    Any updates on injury list ghuys??

     

     

    D. :)

  19. Jobo Baldie on

    Good morning friends and a big happy birthday to Celtic Football Club, 131 years young today. On occasions such as this the weather is insignificant ;-)

  20. Dbhoy on

    Agree with p67 that Brendan seems to have found Cal Mac’s most effective position. He’s very influential when we’re in control of a game, not so good when there’s a battle to be had in midfield. His defensive game is lacking, in particular his tackling needs to improve. These are areas I’m sure he’s working on.

     

     

    It’s these deficiency’s that make Broony very important to our team imo.

     

    What a player we would have if we could merge Cal mac’s passing and vision with Broony’s physicality and game awareness. That would be some player.

     

     

    Glad we can call on both and I’m really enjoying watching Cal mac develop into a very good middy. Got to be honest and say I had my doubts about him but I’m delighted he’s proving me wrong.

     

     

    I don’t buy the argument that Broony slows our play etc.

     

     

    I think Rogic has shaken off the WC hangover he seemed to have effected his early form and has been a major factor in our recent upturn in performances. So much of our good forward play goes through him.

     

     

    Our movement in forward areas has improved aswell which makes the more difficult attacking pass a lot easier when people are finding space in front of you.

     

     

    I’m looking forward to the return of our captain and will be very surprised if there’s any drop in attacking performance as a result.

     

     

    Had $10 on the Melbourne cup winner, productive wee day so far :)))

     

     

    HH

     

     

    HH

  21. David66 on

    We are all Neil Lennon and James McClean?

     

     

    Think how these 2 bhoys and their families are feeling today.

     

     

    YNWAL

     

     

    D. :)

  24. starry plough on

    Happy Birthday Celtic:))

     

     

    Just got back home, French Eddies first goal:))

     

     

    Magic son!

     

     

    Missed the game is there any highlights kicking about? Only two minutes on you tube:((

     

     

    MAH great news pal:))

     

     

    HH

  25. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    Dusty Springfield a fantastic singer.My favourite ‘All I See Is You ‘ from mid sixties.

  29. Dbhoy on

    Bottom two teams, St Mirren and Dundee have the shortest players.

     

    Maybe wee Strachan was onto something after all

     

     

    HH

  30. 50 shades of green on

    5 people been arrested for burning an effigy of the Grenfell tower and posting it online, been charged with public order offences.

     

     

    Cant wait for July 11th next year, should be interesting, ?

  33. An Tearmann on

    Had a wee afternoon in Glasgow yesterday,stoatin bout,in and out shops and then up to Celtic park to collect tickets and a few things.

     

    I took the train back into town,gettin off at argyle st.it was here i checked the blog and found out MAH had went thro his op and was restin up and feeling positive(thanks lennybhoy:-) feeling good i popped round to St Andrews to light a candle in thanks .this i did and i hope and pray all is positive.

     

     

    While thereI bumped into a neighbour and passkeeper in st Vincent’s thornliebank who told me some real sad news,that Vincent Stewart,a Dad,husband and big Celtic man had succumbed to the illness called MND.he was 61.he fought hard and in recent years was supported by his wife who gave up her job to add quality to his life.god bless you.

     

    So if i may ask you all to keep big Vinny in your thoughts and prayers and that he rest in peace and a wee one in support of his remaining family

     

    HH

  34. Philbhoy on

    MAH and WEET WEET WEET

     

     

    Great news!

     

     

    Wee prayer said for you both!

     

     

    Take care and get well soon!

     

     

    Prayers also said for any of our friends who are also in need at this time.

     

     

    YNWA

  35. jimthetim53 on

    An Tearmann,

     

     

    Prayers said for Vinny and his family. Fear not he will be in good hands.

  40. BigYinMilan on

    It has been open-season for on-field attacks on Celtic players recently and for some time now. Opposition players know that (a) they can get away with it in the referees eyes; and (b) that there will be no major retribution from Celtic players. I really wonder if the Hearts players last Saturday would have carried out their assaults if Bobo and/or Mjalby were playing for Celtic. Celtic have not had a ‘hard man’ in their ranks for several seasons now: oh there are brave players (like Broonie) but their is no one with a physical presence to frighten opponents. What would Haring have done while chasing Morgan if he knew that Bobo was waiting for him when he came upfield? Would KT being perpetually assaulted if Bertie Auld was playing in front of him?

     

     

    Melbourne Mick (g’day mate) wonders about how Charlie Gallagher and JInky (and Harry Hood) would have fared nowadays in Scotland? Their survival in their era owes quite a lot to the presence of Tommy Gemmell, Bobby Murdoch and Bertie Auld being present: they could look after themselves and their pals. Who would do the same in the current Celtic squad?

     

     

    Simple message: you did not mess with the Lion’s or MON’s team. The presence of hard-men, who could also play football, allowed players like Jinky, Charlie, Harry and Lubo to prosper on the park.

  41. jimthetim53 on

    Can’t wait to see the light show on Thursday night. I hope they marry it up with our tunes. I’m sure they will have brought in some clever folk to produce something we can be proud of.

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