Our biggest concern for the run-in must be the period where Celtic have been unable to control the middle of the park in our four games this month. For at least half the games against Newco, St Mirren and Aberdeen, ball progression was poor.
Sunday’s second half at Dundee started in the same manner. The thought crossed my mind that Tony Doherty had figured us out, a notion I also had during the second period at Ibrox. Is overloading central mid enough to stop Celtic?
Play changed on Sunday when Tomoki Iwata replaced Callum McGregor and Adam Idah came on for Kyogo, but I think an assumption that the problem lies with Callum’s fitness is too convenient.
Adam was able to collect and retain forward passes, giving options to the midfield that were not there with Kyogo. This resolved the problem until after Dundee’s fortuitous goal, which pivoted play one more time.
Each of the four sides we have left in the league this season have been able to knock us off our game for a spell. Kilmarnock and Hearts have been remarkably successful. All four will face Celtic with a plan for our midfield; getting the better of them should be Brendan Rodgers’ priority.
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St. Pomponius of Naples
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Feastday: April 30
Death: 536
Author and Publisher – Catholic Online
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Bishop of Naples during the reign of the powerful Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great who dominated Italy. As Theodoric was a devoted Arian, Pomponius faced some pressure from the Goths but was steadfast in his opposition to the Arian creed.
Paul 67,
If its not working then change it nomatter what the clock says.
HH.
Refugees are welcome,racism has no place at Celtic
HH
We have made such heavy weather of this league that if we win it we might break their spirit once and for all. Even playing badly we have only lost 1 of our past 16 league games, the one Beaton brazenly cheated us out of at Tynecastle.
I suspect Rodgers will let Kyogo go in the summer. He just doesn’t fit with his style of play and the wee genius doesn’t seem quite as happy with his role. I wouldn’t be surprised if Idah and Miovski were our main attackers next season.
CalMac has been immense for us since his breakthrough game in Iceland. I’ve dreaded the day his levels begin to dip. I fear this might be the time, but on balance still think he’ll be back to himself next season.
I posted this last night
Given our current form,if we manage to get ahead in upcoming games, I wouldn’t be against putting 2 midfielders on ,and play with 4 across the middle, and have 2 up front, it would give more possession and hopefully, protect the back 4,too many second halves this season we have completely fell out of games, not every sub needs to be like for like.
Our situation is remarkably similar to Liverpools – the 3 forward positions were once occupied by genuine goal threat – abada, kyogo, maeda, jota – backed up nicely by Giak etc – kyogo had movement and shared threat – we’ve now replaced these forwards with inconsistent – thus far – wingers – add that to the 3 most creative midfielders having tiredness/ form / fitness issues – and the defence not being what it was either – feel a little sorry for idah – I’d be tempted to play him up with kyogo to see if that’s a thing buy then there’s no real backup for that part from maybe maeda
Idah and Miovski I don’t think so, especially Idah,
Also think Taylors position is up for debate – not entirely his fault – he’s a decentish lwb , OK on occasion when things are good, but has neither speed of size on his size, he is not a flat 4 lb,
PETERLATCHFORDSBELLY on 30TH APRIL 2024 12:08
We have missed the boat on Miovski. He will cost way much more thane Peter and his pals would be willing to pay.
At this stage of the season , in terms of the team shape , we have to go with what we have. So Scalesy keeps his place , no crazy stuff dropping AJ for Tony etc.
Although Callum is not pulling up any trees at the moment , he is steady enough to ensure that we start games in a solid and professional manner , no crazy stuff.
Always get worried when we try the 4 across the middle as we tend to drop 10 yards and allow the opposition to punt long balls.
Biggest worry for Saturday is Clancy as he is one of the poorest refs in the league and is liable to make some really poor decisions and has a tendency to loose the grip of a game in the last 15 mins or so.
HH
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 30TH APRIL 2024 12:30 PM
PETERLATCHFORDSBELLY on 30TH APRIL 2024 12:08
We have missed the boat on Miovski. He will cost way much more thane Peter and his pals would be willing to pay.
————
take the name celtic out of the emotional thinking.
how much would you have paid for miovski in january ?
and how much today /
and what do you think he will sell for when he goes ?
AN TEARMANN on 30TH APRIL 2024 12:02 PM
Refugees are welcome,racism has no place at Celtic
HH
———
We are a club open to all, and than principle is long established.
Is the present First Minister of Scotland still welcome at Celtic. Many regard him as as a racist. In fact he was branded a ” Blatent Racist ” by the owner of a social media platform that you frequently link to. ?
a 6ft 2 brick sh1thouse who can play and has a goal threat would be a welcome addition to our liteweight midfield.
Unfortunately he is plying his trade iat fleetwood at the moment,
I would love to see another Bobo Balde in our ranks.
miovski
1 goal, no assistsa in last 10 premier league matches.
how much shoul be spent on him ?
If anyone has a spare room or a sofa you know what to do —-> https://www.roomforrefugees.com/
Anything else is mere virtue signalling.
This time next week I will be in Lisbon.
What a clearance from John Higgins.
Fearon Foreigners
Which Blueshirt did you back?
Wee Justin with the twitchy right arm longing to make a Nazi salute?
Or wee Reynolds the Deputy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNtdxrlihFA
#snigger
dearie me, what does it even mean.
This has been a more nervous campaign than many of our previous wins this century but I am not convinced of the “Sell Kyogo” line because Brendan needs a big lump of a Centre Forward.
When he came here first Brendan had Dembele and Griffiths, supported by a scoring winger threat from Sinclair, Forrest and Roberts. When he lost Moussa, Edouard was already here and he was able to add Tim Weah on loan too.
Brendan’s possession fetish has sacrificed Kyogo’s effectiveness. The wee man is still making the runs into channels but the ball is not coming. Brendan’s first solution was to demand the wee fella falls back into midfield and get more involved in the build up, which, of course, leaves a central hole in the box when the ball comes in.
If Brendan and his coaching staff are going to review what went right and what went wrong this season, then surely they should conclude that their system has failed Kyogo rather than Kyogo has failed them.
This is not an anti-Brendan position. I have great admiration for how he organised our patched up teams to get 2 wins against Sevco and a draw that should have been a win.
I love Adam Idah’s enthusiasm and would love an ROI man in our team but…… we can and must do better than sign a 10-12 goal a season man as our striker.
The answer to this season is not to play more like Clement’s Sevco team. Let’s preserve Celtic’s style and tradition of play. We cannot thrive by being a team of big athletic lumps.
St Stivs
Is that the return of the “Saint of the Day” or just a one off?
Takesmeback csc
SPFL Manager of the Year shortlist are McInness, Tony Docherty and John McGlynn of Falkirk.
Nobody is very impressed or daunted by the Big Two clubs.
SFTB- Excellent post re Kyogo
AIPPLE on 30TH APRIL 2024 12:53 PM
This time next week I will be in Lisbon.
Finally made the trip to EN last November. Wow, 100 times better than I anticipated. Goosebumps on goosebumps. We went straight from the airport as I couldnt wait any longer! We were lucky with the weather and on the day stadium was open as there was an athletics race on so no problems getting inside. The sense of pride and happiness that day was only bettered by the birth of my 4 kids. I really mean that. An absolute must for any Celtic fan. I believe its been demolished next year so anyone thinking of making the “pilgrimage” just do it!! The weekend we went we were also lucky to fit in matches with Sporting and Benfica on successive nights. Tour of Benficas stadium is also a must do.
Lisbon is a fantasic city apart from been offered drugs every few steps and I will return some day. Might even take the wife the next time!!
Enjoy
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 30TH APRIL 2024 1:11 PM
“This has been a more nervous campaign than many of our previous wins this century but I am not convinced of the “Sell Kyogo” line because Brendan needs a big lump of a Centre Forward.”
Even if we were to buy a Dembele type CF (if only) I would still keep him – I think he could play right wing and be a similar threat to Abada but with a better work rate / team ethic. Like Abada he is always a goal threat and the more of them on the pitch the better.
QB
SFTB
A perfectly fair assessment . For reasons which have been at least partly outwith his control , our manager has not had anything like the season his predecessor had . The manager of the other lot has had his season artificially bolstered by officialdom .
sftb
In a post match interview at the weekend Brendan was asked about his views on the ‘Manager of the the Year’ he first responded “Well it wont be me that’s for sure” he mentioned all of those above, but had good words for John McGlynn who has done a fantastic job at Falkirk. I hadn’t realised that McGlynn had been a Scout at Celtic under Ronny Deila and stayed on under Brendan. We signed some good players during that period, wonder if McGlynn was involved in pinpointing any of them….or was it all down to Peter Lawwell?
CELTIC MAC on 30TH APRIL 2024 2:29 PM
LOL
John McGlynn’s clubs have often punched above their weight. Footballers seem to respond to him as they do with Tony Docherty but I he lost a lot of support when he tried to sign Goodwillie for Raith.
I thought this was funny- apologies to John Higgins in advance
https://twitter.com/football_mumble/status/1784689379581026526?cxt=HBwWvIO3hZ_ivsQxAAAA&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
GREENGRAY1967 on 30TH APRIL 2024 2:19 PM
I hope to take a motorhome trip through Spain and Portugal some time this year. My eldest son loves any stadium visits (even without the tour) and has clocked up over 100 across 12 countries so that is a bucket list item for me for sure.
I assume the stadium tour is the only way to be sure to get entry? Or was it better (less restrictive?) when another event was on?
I think the tour would be needed if available but when we travelled a bit last year almost all stadiums we visited – all bar Royal Antwerp iirc – when asked nicely let my son in to just stand pitch side and get a photo so I could just chance it if its not open for tours/events.
QB
QB
I dont think there is a stadium tour. As I said we fell lucky that day as an event was taking place. Anyone else Ive spoken to about SN just said they gave a few bob to security man at the gate and there wasnt a problem. We got a Taxi to wait for us outside
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 30TH APRIL 2024 1:11 PM
Fantastic post re Kyogo. Agree 100%
SETTING FREETHE BEARS
From earlier, totally agree re Kyogo, 100%
Greig Taylor comes in for some shit, but what I have noticed is when Daizen is playing GT is much more effective.
Not fair on CalMac if he’s not fully up to speed. For his sake, the team’s sake and ours, play Tomoki until he’s 100%..
Makes sense to wee me
KINGLuBO
Daizen and Greg are potent as an attacking left side. I’d still like to see Daizen through the middle as he does for Japan.
GREENGRAY1967 on 30TH APRIL 2024 2:53 PM
QB
I dont think there is a stadium tour. As I said we fell lucky that day as an event was taking place. Anyone else Ive spoken to about SN just said they gave a few bob to security man at the gate and there wasnt a problem. We got a Taxi to wait for us outside
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Yes did the tour last September. As you say it’s not really a tour as such, you get to go into the changing rooms, walk through the tunnel, walk across the pitch, sit in the dugouts (not the original ones when Jock and Sean were there) climb the stand and get to stand on the plinth where Big Billy lifted the cup. It was all done accompanied by one of the security guards, they are happy to show anyone around. Everyone gave him a few Euros.
QB and others
I was there in March . Fantastic. The stadium is open every day and a security guard will take you around the field and up to the presentation gantry.
Ricardo was the security guy we met. Its a fantastic feeling. It has been bought by the Portuguese FA to be refurbed but they intend keeping a lot of fixtures and fittings in memory of 67.
The entrance in just up from the swimming pool (direction to Taxi driver).
In fact I emailed JPT and urged him to speak to the high heed yins to arrange a 60th Anniversary game there in 27 . Would be a fantastic occasion and could be linked to a charity fundraiser.
A MUST for any Celtic Supporter.
Enjoy.