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.
340 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- »
So everybody and their granny wants Jozo, Erik, Dembele and probably a few others.
Rodgers urges…Scotland vow to keep….blah blah blah…..betcha pistol Pete cant wait till the January transfer window.
Clowns to the left of me jokers to the right. Old Firm I am.
ACGR @ OUTLOOK DOT COM – GET YOUR FREE THE ZADOK RINGTONE on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 2:33 AM
Booooooooo moderator boooooooooooooooooo.
Macjay looks like he was talking to himself last night.
==================================================
I was having an intelligent conversation.
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/league-cup/judging-the-referee-s-performance-in-rangers-0-1-celtic-1-4268114
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/celtic-keeper-craig-gordon-passes-the-brendan-rodgers-test-1-4268465
Dena29
Just reading back and noticed your lass was in recovery after an op.
I hope and pray all is well.
There’s nothing worse for a parent to have a kid unwell.
Deo Gratias.
Cleveland Indians beat Chicago Cubs 6-0 in the opening game of the World Series.
Game 2 tomorrow night.
So tomorrow afternoon I’ll be in Dingwall before a night in Cleveland.
Maggie
Dembele will be here after the window closes.
We don’t need to sell players to stay solvent.
Unlike another team we all know and despise.
Of that there is no doubt to quote the Beechgrove Gardener.
Good morning friends from a damp, dark, drizzly and chilly East Kilbride. But tonight we have the privilege, yet again, to sit and watch The Champions play.
Happy Birthday to Minx1888, a really, really special girl and a right good Tim!
Have a fantastic day H.
A happy birthday to the Minx..a sweetheart and a Tim….what’s not to like ? :O)
Word of The Day (inspired by……………………………)
intransigent /ɪnˈtrænsɪdʒənt/
adjective
1. not willing to compromise; obstinately maintaining an attitude
noun
2. an intransigent person, esp in politics
Derived Forms
intransigence, intransigency, noun
intransigently, adverb
Word Origin
C19: from Spanish los intransigentes the uncompromising (ones), a name adopted by certain political extremists, from in- 1 + transigir to compromise, from Latin transigere to settle
KTF
Morning all from a grey but mild Northwest Italia.
Heading back to Scotland this evening in time for the second half.
Very best wishes to DENA and her lass for a full and speedy recovery.
HH!!
Was posting from a mobile last night, so kept it short.
Dena, prayers were said for the wee one, so I’m glad she is on the road to recovery.
A number of others unwell at the moment, so for JNP, MWD and a few others candles lit in St Mary’s, so hope you all improve.
Happy birthday to Minx1888.
ACGR, MACJAY and TGM, just a wee thanks for being true to who you are: a hint of madness in all, but always good banter!
KTF
MINX1888
Happy Birthday. Hope a wee victory tonight will add to the joys of the day.
HH
It is dark outside.
MACJAY 406
Surprising that article was printed without a byline. Usually The Scotsman identifies its columnists.
HAPPY HOOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY to
MINX1888!!!!!!
I fully expect yer favourite fella to whisk you away to a lovely wee romantic location this evening…
Hoopy Birthday Minx1888, have a great day.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Happy Birthday, Minx1888. Hope the day is topped off with a victory in Dingwall this evening.
Gooooood Morning CQN
And a very Hooooopy morning to Minx1888
Getting taken to Dingwall as a present from HT
nice :-)
Hail Hail
Hilarious stuff
https://twitter.com/notlr/status/791029921552498688
………………………………………
Feliz Cumpleanos to the MInx
HH
MINX 1888
Hoopy Birthday ! Have a good day !
Minxs1888: breithlá sona duit.
Just saw the penalty incident at Hamilton last night. Collum made another blunder. Dreadful decision.
Good Morning CQN
Great news Dena on your daughter’s op
Prayers for a speedy recovery love to both of you
Happy birthday Minx have a good one
DD hope you have a fantastic day with the family
Up there in Dingwall
Hail Hail
Mt
Traynor actually believes he is important, and is carrying out a vital job…….
Bbbbbbwwwaaaaaaaaaaa
PCS-i thought the same mate.
Good Moaning
Both Ross County and Aberdeen have been…well…not brilliant this season. However, I think if we took 4 points from the 2 games (bearing in mind we still have a game in hand) that would constitute a very good 7 days.
P.S. Please let the 3 of those 4 points come against Aberdeen so I can see McInnes’s wee greetin’ face aw screwed up…or just win both games, you know, whatever…
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 8:04 AM
MACJAY 406
Surprising that article was printed without a byline. Usually The Scotsman identifies its columnists.
=====================================================================
That is interesting.
In reality , I really don`t trust any of them.
Must say , though , I thoroughly enjoyed the commentary from Chris Sutton and Terry Butcher.
Amusing and informed banter. Without pretence of impartiality.
LOVE Chris sticking it to Mason Thompson and his blatant unabashed bias.
A cuppa tea and 2 slices of roasted cheese for break, perfect!!!
Happy birthday Minx!!!
Morning Celts
Love to Dena 29
We have you in our thoughts
HH
Morning Celts
17 mins. of chat about the hun game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcDaH8PMQo8&feature=em-hot-vrecs
jimbob71
roasted cheese
————————————-
*logs off*
;)
Good to read that Dena’s lhass has come through okay and will ‘do’ a wee caunel in thanks today
Happy Birthday to the Minx but seems a long way to go for a birthday tea!
May have ‘un problems’ this evening re local pub for game@@@@. Not advertised yesterday and only the Barmaid who couldn’t understand me when I first asked her for a ‘pint of lager’ in bar so waste of time discussing!!
Notice this iPad doesn’t do Spanish as well as Glaswegian! – ‘ un problems ‘ was ‘ un problema’ .
In the illogical English language , usage trumps logic.
Every time.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
Trump??? Logic???
Never the twain shall meet :)
COSY CORNER BHOY on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 9:23 AM
Queremos ver el juego de Celtic de Glasgow hoy en la noche.
Por favor.
If you can`t pronounce it , show her.
And gie her a few pesetas. :-)
Josh Windass: Rangers can win the title, and we won’t have to beat Celtic three times to do it
from glasgow herald today.now put your crayons and colouring books down and pay attention.well thats all they pay.