What’s not in dispute about Sunday was Celtic’s overwhelming superiority in every aspect of the game. One Newco fan suggested to me that on that showing, only Nir Bitton wouldn’t have got into the Newco (not his word) team. What worked so well for us, despite an array of unenforced errors and poor finishing, was the passing and positional play from our two central defenders.
The jury has been out on Jozo Simunovic since his arrival in the summer of 2015 as we’ve seen so little of him in that time, but he and Erik Sviatchenko were fundamental to our dominance. With both full backs playing high up-field, Jozo and Erik were asked to cover the back line, often taking possession under pressure, but there were no Big Bobo moments.
They were comfortable enough to hold possession while being closed down and play a short passing game. Erik was regularly in the left back position against the touchline, but stuck to task. This meant Celtic could continue to play through periods where passing higher up the park wasn’t as accurate as it could have been.
As a consequence, Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney were able to overload wide midfield positions. Whenever possession was lost we were in place to press quickly.
Jozo got a good block on the only genuine chance Newco created all game (caused through an unenforced error in midfield) but apart from that it was difficult to judge any of the defenders on their defensive display, as we weren’t asked to defend for large parts of the day.
Brendan made the decision to let Jozo go to Torino in August, for the deal to fall through. One of his objectives this season will be to go into next summer’s Champions League qualifiers with three central defenders he can rely on (there is less doubt we’ll be in the qualifiers now than at this stage during the last three seasons).
Caveat on Wednesday aside, Kolo Toure has proven to be a great signing (he’s four years older than Philippe Senderos, as a guide), but it will be a while before he or Brendan will discuss next season. If Jozo and Erik remain fit, and with Eoghan O’Connell looking the part, this area of the team is well sorted.
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ernie lynch on 25th October 2016 1:19 pm
VFR800A8 on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 12:34 PM
Or, in other words, The Old Firm is back up and running but it’s OK because we don’t call it The Old Firm anymore.
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Ernie, your choice of terminology, not mine.
First off, I won’t be as insulting as you were to AN TEARMANN earlier when you said “then you are as thick as your choice of language suggests.
We are the biggest club in Scotland. So whether you like it or not, our main rivalry will be with the team who are the second biggest club in terms of support and budget. They may not be there on the field at this time; they may have significant financial and structural issues that will prevent them from closing that gap any time soon, but the rivalry is still there. Dress it up how you will, but it is what it is.
As the Celtic players (most of whom, in reality, have no previous knowledge of the Old Firm (sic)) if Sunday was a big game or not?
Their fan base is the same as the previous club who played out of Ibrox; same flies. Historically that creates a rivalry. If they go down again and come back as Govan FC, it will re-emerge.
You have an agenda; I would posit that it is nothing to do with the Old Firm (sic) you keep referring to. You constantly and consistently spout the same message about the Board and Celtic fans who don’t agree with you. It comes across, IMHO, as unpleasant and unhelpful.
You are entitled to an opinion the same as the rest of us; accept the fact that many I, along with many others, disagree with you and let us get on with supporting the Club on and off the field without you questioning our right to do so in our own way.
KTF
Most of us are to talk about Celtic, chew the fact about other topics and have a place to voice our opinions. I do that and sometimes disagree with others, but I respect their right to an
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 25th October 2016 1:25 pm
Wild horse and all that ……………….
KTF
CANAMALAR IT LOOKS LIKE OCD OBSESSION on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 12:13 PM
What’s not to like, apart from our board knowing the five year time bar was coming and not keeping us in the loop.
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Hail Hail fella.
I mentioned on here some time last year that, any action against all the cheating etc – might be time barred.
I was quickly told to refrain as, I might just have given the establishment ideas ??????
I don’t want to comment on the res:12 stuff that you and yer fellow gallant band are involved with apart from wishing you all the best etc.
But,………but, but, but,…..there seems to me to be an element of ham-fistedness about the approaches to all the injustices re: Celtic supporters treatment by the law for example.
Ye get fans on here, swamping Celtic supporters to sign petitions against the OBAF thingy.
And yet, the Celtic PLC-Hierarchy – rubber stamped this ACT when Paul McBride was,…..on one hand….
…Telling Celtic fans that he would rip the SFA apart in his defence of Neil Lennon.
…Telling the cops that he supports the ACT to end sectarian singing at Old Firm games and that, he’d help Campbell Corrigan to ‘smash’ the marxist Green Brigade ?????
Ah mean, why can’t so many, seemingly clever Celtic supporters join the dots and do what ‘really’ has to be done ie: Put control of Celtic FC into the hands of Glasgow Celtic Supporters.
Ye see, Fergus McCann was – Old Firm Orientated.
FM handed the keys to DD who’s – Old Firm Orientated.
Ah mean, am I joining the wrong dots ?
Celtic operate a, Confidentiality Clause Culture inside Celtic Park.
Why ?
I know that there have to be confidences within the club but, pravda seems to be a defining, prominent symptom.
Ye see, Celtic PLC are probably thinking…”…ach well, it’s only 4 auld men from CQN who are pushing this res:12 stuff so,….we’re home and hosed!”…..maybe, just maybe,…..that’s they’re thinking ?
For me,….when the LNS stuff went unchallenged by the PLC-Hierarchy….then, Neil Lennon was reigned in and muzzled when he left and, Brendan says hee-haw when KT was assaulted at Tynecastle then, had hee-haw to say about the mibbery on Sunday well,…..hee-haw will be done about the anti-Celtic establishment, no matter how much cheating that they have done or, will continue to do….imho.
Ye see, a lot of these seemingly amazing, wonderful, dyed in the wool Celtic supporter’s who are going around, peddling petition after, petition will continue to do so.
Know why ?
Well,….it’s like this…these petition peddlers can see fault everywhere but, within.
Ye see, the petition peddlers won’t train they’re guns on the PLC-Hierarchy for rubber stamping all these ACT’s in the 1st place because, they think that they’ll be hurting Celtic.
But,….I would guess that, even as I type this, that yet another form of ‘ACT’ will be being conceived in the PLC-Hierarchies board room at CP ye know why ?
Coz, the PLC-Hierarchy know that, the petition peddlers are mainly driven by they’re own uberness and, are probably bought and paid for within the confines of CP….that’s my guess.
Ye see, when the PLC-Hierarchy are feeling a real threat ie: the loss of 30,000 empty seats revenue, then, all of a sudden, the PLC-Hierarchy will make out that they’re on the same page as the support and bring in Brendan Rodgers ?…..aye.
Ye see, if the empty seat numbers weren’t so high, the PLC-Hierarchy would have brassed it out with Ronny in charge and, the died huns would be lording it over us at the minute…imho.
So, the message is….the PLC set up at CP is Old Firm Orientated.
So, no matter how many petitions are filled out, the bottom line is…
…The Old Firm Orientated PLC-Hierarchy will put the Celtic support at the back of the bus, after….taking all they’re money off them.
I thought it was the huns who were gullible ?
Anyway, take care.
P.S. Brendan, I’m glad that ye listened about, how guid ye can make young James Forrest. I’m also hoping that you’ll continue to work yer magic on Stuart Armstrong who could be transformed into a – Murdo, Craig Burley, Big Roy Aitken, Stan Petrov type of player…just like ah telt ye….thanks.
….off-oot…
VFR…,
“but the rivalry is still there”, enough said
Could someone post a link to the French commentary when we scored against the huns please?
Many thanks in advance!
Wee bit late but here goes:
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 10:21 PM
The story at the time was that Crerand was sold after a half time bust up with Sean Fallon. It was a Ne’er day game at Ibrox and, ironically, I thought that Paddy had been our best player in the first half.
*I was at this game, only my 2nd hun one and both at the same venue, I jooked up with the pretense I was going tae a school pals hoose in Dumbarton with my Celtic scarf tied roon ma waist below my coat.
It was a cauld cauld day which Dream Academy would sing about years later “In winter 1963, it felt like the world would freeze, with John F. Kennedy and the Beatles.”
We didnae play that bad in the 1st half and went in unlucky tae be one down due tae a bette davis shot which was deflected by Paddy. This may have been the main reason for his demeanour in the dressing room at the half. In the 2nd half we weren’t that bad either until the roof fell in within a 10 minute spell when they battered in another 3 goals.
We had 7 internationals including Paddy’s cousin in the side as well as 3 future Lions and 2 members of the LL squad not forgetting Paddy who would 5 years later pick up an EC winners medal himself
However, our best player that day IMHO was Frank Brogan who was another one that failed to fulfill his promise; I’ve always said that if we could have coupled his talent with his brother’s heart we would have won more than 1 big cup.
He could play both wings as well as score goals. He was up against the thug at right back”tony stark” at right half and their greatest ever player at inside right, nae shrinking violets there who would put the boot in with impunity, and yet still shone.
The next day we woke up tae a blanket of snow, 24 hours too late for us, and our home game against the bully wee that day was cancelled. We did travel up tae Pittodrie 4 days later and won 5-1, typical Celtic back then.
We made 5 changes for that visit including a new full back pairing of Young and Gemmell the latter making his debut, with big John McNamee replacing Paddy who would never wear the hoops again, oh and our best player from the previous game was dropped. We followed that up with a 2-0 win at the end of the month at Brockville in a SC tie and that was that, fitba shut down until the 2nd of March.
With the new lineup we went on a good run dropping 2 points tae St Mirren and the Pars before being unceremoniously gubbed at Rugby Park in the wee mhan’s debut with, due tae injury, a makeshift side.
That all ended with the humiliation at hunden in the SC Final replay which was much more devastating than the new year game, again Bob Kelly’s interference would play a major part in that, just like his phoning Matt Busby and offering him Paddy 4 months previously.
Meanwhile 10 days later Paddy would be picking up an FA Cup winners medal with his new side.
It was also mooted that he was too pally with Jim Baxter, but it was probably their mutual pastime that hastened his exit.
*Strange that both Paddy and Slim Jim were reputed tae have been out bevvying the night before as the latter was one of their star players that afternoon.
I met Paddy many years later when he was over here, his sister lived out by Lake Huron and was married tae a bluenose!!!!! I was sitting beside a soosider and a lad from Whitecrook who had an excellent Celtic pedigree. When asked about his last game he widnae elaborate too much just that he fell oot with Sean at half time and Bob took umbrage at his conduct.
This is the same Bob that a couple of years earlier had got rid of wee ten thirty as he thought him to be undisciplined as a result of his earlier facing up tae that thug at right back for the deid team. Bertie actually played in the semi preceding the 7-1 game but was thought as too risky for the final. The same Bob that dropped the wee mhan and Frank Brogan for the SC Final replay replacing Jinky with inside forward Bobby Craig.
Paddy Crerand was a fantastic player, one of the best long range passers I’ve ever saw, and bled green and white, some of the younger support have a poor opinion of him due to his favouring manure over us. FGS he works for them and they have treated him better than we did.
I said to him that day that if he hadn’t left we would never have heard of Bobby Murdoch, his response was “don’t be daft son, if I hadn’t left you would never have heard of me as I widnae have got a game for Bobby as he was a far better player than me”. That’s how humble he was, he had no idea who he was and what he meant to my generation of Celtic supporters. I’ve often mentioned on here that Bobby Evans was my first hero, Paddy was my 2nd.
Incidentally here’s a wee bit of useless trivia which Paddy confirmed that day. He was lined up by the Big Mhan for the assistant manager position; Bob was no longer with us by this time, on Jock’s return from injury. He even agreed terms with the Celtic chairman in his office in Renfrew Street
Seemingly another former Celt contacted Desmond White and railed against this stating some inadequacies in this role with manure and Davie McParland was given the position instead!!!!
Finally, he mentioned that one of his bhoys often came up tae see us on a regular occasion and I believe he said he was with his granny (Pat’s mother) at Love Street on May 3rd 1986.
Good Afternoon.
Here is my analysis of the ‘gap’ between Celtic and Sevco…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/10/24/the-magic-gap/
Hhttps://twitter.com/GFFN/status/790209116203544576
Mousse!!!
there was a debate last week initiated by TD67.
Is it called Celtic Park or Parkheid, or Paradise , and going to chpel, church, mass or the game. it was mildy interesting in the positions taken, mostly by age demographic of what terms are used by indiviudals. But there was differences. And thats good.
Right now though in my own circle, I dont know anyone of a celtic persuasion who uses the term “old-firm”.
Its reserved for the media, the phone in callers, and 2nd rangers supporters.
Our biggest challenges seems to be what to call the new club, sevoc, 2nd rangers, the zombies, monkeys, huns, etc.
TERJ VIGEN @ 1.48pm
Sorry for delay in replying – telephone call.
You may be correct in your assessment but threre seems to be something afoot and Jj seems to have an “in” with the Whyte camp. It will be interesting to see if anything develops. Thankfully we don’t have such problems. HH
SAINT STIVS SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 2:21 PM
‘there was a debate last week initiated by TD67.’
###
Oh the ignominy.
https://twitter.com/gffn/status/790209116203544576
Philbhoy….
And Jim Craig! How could I forget that we had another Lion on CQN!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/french-commentators-go-hilariously-mental-9115695
Hope this works.
TONTINE TIM,
Bobby Evans and Paddy Crerand were my earliest Celtic heroes. Paddy, Charlie Gallagher and Bobby Murdoch are the finest passers of a football I have seen in a Celtic jersey.
SAINT STIVS,
I don’t think I have ever had a conversation with a Celtic supporter where the term “Old Firm” was ever used.
Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD
Provided no one is calling square sausage “slice” or cheese on toast “roasted cheese” I’m cool with any terminology anyone wants to use…
!!BADABING!! & Soukous
Fabulous!
Thanks again!
winning captains
Keep chipping away at Fernando de Ornelas for the next Q & A.
does anyone have any links to the bobby murdoch memorial, cant find anything on line
Joey Barton back to Burnley?
Only if the Zombies pay him off first
DAVIDOPOULOS
Thank you for reminding us of the Barnes/Dalglish days. I think Fernando went to a different club each season. HH
An Teach Solais on 25th October 2016 2:51 pm
DAVIDOPOULOS
Thank you for reminding us of the Barnes/Dalglish days. I think Fernando went to a different club each season. HH
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I would like to ask Fernando how it felt when Mark Burchill didn’t square the ball to him in the dying minutes of our 2-2 draw against Dundee. I’m still raging about it and I suspect that Fernando is consumed by angst over this.
We should wear our away strip at Ibrox
Timmy7; Marrakesh – thanks for your reply. Feeling better already
DavidO – go for it. The romance of Lisbon….how could you fail.
BRTH: maybe give you an eee later. Family meeting to see who goes and who stays behind to look after the animals (No not thems, proper legitimate animals).
P.S. Saint Stivs @2:21 p.m. Things I thought I’d never hear……. “There was a debate last week initiated by TD67”
SS- i took some pictures of the Bobby Murdoch plaque at the ceremony, but dont know how to configute them for on here….the plaque is on permanent display at Rutherglen Town Hall
SPFL announce cup final ticket allocation to be 50/50….https://t.co/guQUjvyOJ0
ernie lynch on 25th October 2016 2:21 pm
However you dress it up it was, IMHO, still insulting and un-necessary.
We can disagree without resorting to personal insults. An Tearmann has an opinion opposed to your own. His expressing that opinion in language of his choice, not yours, doesn’t make him thick.
An apology would have been a humbler stance to take in my opinion.
KTF
WC
Distinctly remember getting mouth hygiene tips from another one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
WINNING CAPTAINS on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 1:52 PM
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Q&A with Andy Lynch last night. Andy found it to be a remarkable and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
If you missed it then it is well worth a wee read back.
We’ve now had Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell, John Hughes, Davie Hay, Bertie Auld, Charlie Gallagher and Andy Lynch coming on to CQN to chat to those on this wonderful site.
Don’t leave without the money Joey. And make sure it’s in cash.
Scaniel on 25th October 2016 3:03 pm
BRTH: maybe give you an eee later.
I is surprised Paul67 allows such blatant drug dealing on the blog! :>)
ebenezzergoode CSC
KTF
OK see you realised your omission
: > )
St Stivs, not a phrase I’d use from choice; only when quoting others who purport to be decrying the O** F*** myth.
KTF
The pursuit of the Celtic pound has made this site almost unnavigable now. Likewise with the Celticblog. 42 posts in the two hours following the original article says it all really
Anyway how about getting someone from the present Celtic setup on as a guest poster and not a a long ago employee with a book to sell
VFR800A8 on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 3:10 PM
Here’s a wee suggestion for your word of the day slot tomorrow:
IF.
As in ‘If you think…..then…..’
how to navigate the blog? Anyone else keep getting the “meet Tiger Woods in Turkey ad? He’s not even playing!! Scottrade ad then takes over. Stops me posting my miserable comments! oh wait a moment……
mickbhoy1888 on 25th October 2016 3:22 pm
The pursuit of the Celtic pound has made this site almost unnavigable now.
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Aye Paul67 is after your money micky, better watch out.
Or alternatively, to keep the site running and operational costs down he has had to accept a certain amount of clickbait advertising onto the blog.
Prior to that he was running everything at his own expense so that eejits from all walks of life, can have somewhere to share views/news/opinions – for FREE.
Yep the adverts can be a pain, but there has been LOTS of free advice from posters on how to circumnavigate such problems.
I and am sure many more would probably go for a subscription to remove any advertising to support the blog but that is up to Paul. The other parts of CQN – Bookstore, Match Reports etc…are accessed and enjoyed by many.
Once Paul has put an article up it is there for ALL to discuss and opinionate on in whatever way we please (within the bounds of decency). There will always be peaks and troughs at any given point in the week and the main piece can be forgotten quickly depending on the direction taken by posters.
One last thing, if the blog can’t be used to promote books by Celtic legends while at the same time giving some fans a chance to say thanks for being a good servant etc… then the blog would be a poorer place.
Thanks for your work in this WC.
I see a couple of veteran CQNers are still hurting after Sunday’s result.
Love it.