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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Griff from start please. He’ll be bursting a gut to create/score goals.
I’d rest Tom.
I’d play Armstrong and have Nir as available sub.
An I’d get the team to score 8 goals. At least…
Exiled Tim,
Dogum Kutlu Olsun,from sunny Turkey to your Wee Minx.
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPY Birthday to the lovely MINX.
Including the weekend game and tonight we’ll have had 5 games in 14 days
Happy birthday MINX and many hoopy returns.
= = = = =
Can’t see many changes tonight,don’t think it’s Brendan’s style.Stuart for Nir and maybe Paddy for James but that’ll be it imho.
Agree with VFR,expecting 6 points from our next 2 games.They won’t be easy but we have far bettr players and should be too strong for both RC and the ovine botherers.
Where can I read Zinedine Windarses insane ramblings?
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 10:58 AM
Its beyond left and right.
=========================================
Agreed. Left and right are lazy terms.
Principles are the only criteria.
I want the same egalitarian society which you do.
We only differ on how to achieve that aim.
Technology. `70s.
One day ,we were told , when we are on the telephone , we will be able to see the person we are talking to.
Caramba !
Mate. Two weeks ago I skyped my boy . He replied while riding a scooter on a road in Canggu , Indonesia.
A wee tad different from the 24 tram along Dumbarton Rd. to Celtic Park , listening to the wondrous invention of the tranny.
I THINK that Brendan will play Roberts,Griff,Armstrong,Toure tonight.Gamboa to get game time.Thought he did really well at Celtic Park.Fed Forrest consistently,linked well.Its not tinkering.These are all 1st team players schooled in the system.
Please can we have an end to Pseuds Corner on here.Private Eye does it so much better.
MacJay
Yes indeed.
The changes we have witnessed in our lifetimes are astounding.
I remember industrial Glasgow, grew up with the sound of iron works, factories, sherpa vans:)
All that remains, are the remnants of another age….The canal that runs through Maryhill, with the iron rings for the barges and horses….the Pen under the canal, built between 1790-1805.
Now…if i want to, i can speak to people from all over the world…..and they can all call me a headcase:)
HH
TURKEYBHOY on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:13 AM
I THINK that Brendan will play Roberts,Griff,Armstrong,Toure tonight.Gamboa to get game time.Thought he did really well at Celtic Park.Fed Forrest consistently,linked well.Its not tinkering.These are all 1st team players schooled in the system.
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I’d be happy with that.
Turkeybhoy
Who rattled your cage:)
HH
How many years are The Rangers behind Celtic? I make it something north of 120. So what’s all this talk about whether the SPFL’s newest club will ever be able to compete with the champions?
All The Rangers have shown so far is that they can compete with the cubs in the bottom half of the league. OK, this is actually pretty good for a club in only its fifth season, I’ll admit.
But they’ve yet to prove they can compete with St Johnstone. And if they manage to do that, they will have to prove they can compete with Hearts. Then, if they get that far, they will still have to prove they can compete with Scotland’s second team, Aberdeen. And only if they can ever do all of that does the comparison with the champions come into play.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 10:52 AM
I enjoy a frank exchange of views as well and welcome the discussion.
But when you try to disregard somebody’s opinion by saying:
“I believe in facts. Tell us about his illegal activities. Proven not alleged.”
You better be able to back up your own accusations with facts from decent sources.
It would only be fair.
Gordon J
G…The Sevconians actually believe they are ‘narrowing’ the gap.
They dont live in the real world…..Its still Watty World in their tiny wee minds.
A bit like Westworld…but with sashes:)
HH
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:20 AM
I used to go round Glasgow taking photographs .
The Cambuslang steelworks ,the Clyde docks , the fitba and just punters going about their business.
The best thing is to see Glasgow today , as I did last year.
The improvements are marvellous.
A much better place to live than the one I left 30 odd years ago.
TIMALOY29 on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:24 AM
“I believe in facts. Tell us about his illegal activities. Proven not alleged.”
You better be able to back up your own accusations with facts from decent sources.
==================================================================
There is no accusation in what I said.
Mate.
Now boring.
No ?
MacJay
The old cliche of community…wasnt a cliche.
Some of the best people i ever met, were the ones i grew up with…..when Glasgow was a totally different place.
The real ones…families, friends, neighbours.
The die-hards and headcases, the geniuses, and the beautiful kind souls of the people who raised us properly.
Glasgow….What can you say about it.
Its a human wonder.
HH
Good mockery today from JJs blog.Very clever.The Fat Controller must really love him.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:22 AM
Turkeybhoy
Who rattled your cage:)
HH
Now thats more like it.
The Goatee beard,Tweed jacket and Pipe,is sooooo not you.Pip Pip.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:30 AM
The best thing is to see Glasgow today , as I did last year.
A much better place to live than the one I left 30 odd years ago.
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I wouldn’t be cruel enough to suggest that there is a correlation here..
;-))))))
Turkeybhoy
I often ‘shoot the breeze’ with Macjay
He likes to talk to people, so do i.
Goatee beard, Tweed Jacket……are you mental, i come from Maryhill.
Doesnt mean im fexcking stupid though.
Cant be much happening in the world that interests the Vatican.I see one of the Jobsworths in the “Do as you are told”office has thought up a blinder,while idling through his day.Ashes of deceased relatives must not be scattered,kept at home,or anything other than being interred in a Cemetry.Scattering relatives ashes in say,their favourite spot,or a place of natural beauty is seen by the Vatican,as Naturist.
Heaven help us from these fools.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:38 AM
No question.
I found it also a hard place. Always a bit of caution because I was a Tim in a green blazer. Instantly identifiable as such.
I never had any regret about my place of birth.
Quite the reverse.
The best thing ?
Pseuds were never tolerated.
NATKNOW on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:51 AM
Well , of course there is a correlation there.
Blessed Margaret arrived as I left.
Turkeybhoy
Ive got a keen mind, but a kick like a mule.
I can do it any way….academic, or blood and guts.
Tough streak a mile long…..and then some.
However, i do like to dissect things intellectually…..so shoot me ffs
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 26th October 2016 10:58 am
My 15 year old Grandson walks about with a mini computer in his pocket (an iPhone). When I was his age a similarly powered computer would have fitted into a room!
Technological progress is astounding! It has radically changed how we live and work; it has many inherent dangers but also so many benefits.
Took said Grandson to Barra a few years ago; no phone signal and he wanted to let his mum know we’d arrived safely. Took him to an old red phonebox to do the call. He was astounded – didn’t know they existed and had never used one!
Progress, eh?
KTF
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:54 AM
NATKNOW on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:51 AM
Well , of course there is a correlation there.
Blessed Margaret arrived as I left.
———————————————————-
Ooft!
I’ll leave that one to the blog historians and policy experts…
:-))))
Turkeybhoy on 26th October 2016 11:51 am
Cant be much happening in the world that interests the Vatican.I see one of the Jobsworths in the “Do as you are told”office has thought up a blinder,while idling through his day.Ashes of deceased relatives must not be scattered,kept at home,or anything other than being interred in a Cemetry.Scattering relatives ashes in say,their favourite spot,or a place of natural beauty is seen by the Vatican,as Naturist.
Heaven help us from these fools.
__________________________________________________
Oh, the irony in the last line; unintentional I assume?
I trust you disagree?
KTF
VFR800A8 on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:57 AM
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 26th October 2016 10:58 am
My 15 year old Grandson walks about with a mini computer in his pocket (an iPhone). When I was his age a similarly powered computer would have fitted into a room!
Technological progress is astounding! It has radically changed how we live and work; it has many inherent dangers but also so many benefits.
Took said Grandson to Barra a few years ago; no phone signal and he wanted to let his mum know we’d arrived safely. Took him to an old red phonebox to do the call. He was astounded – didn’t know they existed and had never used one!
Progress, eh?
KTF
—————————————————
I love Barra. Last time I was there was a while back. On the Saturday there was a dance at the hall at Vatersay AND a fancy dress karaoke arranged on the same night. Locals were in a state of confusion with so many entertainment choices. :-))
Must book some flight soon. Ferry was too much for me last time…
NATKNOW on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:57 AM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:54 AM
NATKNOW on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:51 AM
Well , of course there is a correlation there.
Blessed Margaret arrived as I left.
———————————————————-
Ooft!
I’ll leave that one to the blog historians and policy experts…
:-))))
================================================
You`re talking to one.
Mate . It`s late in my day , so I thought it was time to chuck a wee grenade into the proceedings.
:-)
Hail Hail against our Northern cousins.
new article posted.
VFR
I was trying to throw a few wee talking points.
Glad you picked up on the sheer rapidity of technological change.
Google….what are we to make of Google and Apple?
And…..never mind the Luddite:)
HH
Thanks one and all for the lovely birthday wishes! I am indeed one very lucky and spoiled ghirl!
Now if Brendan and the bhoys just continue with the birthday celebrations that will be great
Thanks again
NATKNOW on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 12:02 PM
VFR800A8 on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:57 AM
Barra is on my bucket list.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 11:51 AM
Turkeybhoy
I often ‘shoot the breeze’ with Macjay
He likes to talk to people, so do i.
Goatee beard, Tweed Jacket……are you mental, i come from Maryhill.
Doesnt mean im fexcking stupid though.
OOHH this new yo can be sooooo intense.I blame that Macjay.I much preferred the old Greenman,who we could always rely on to castigate anyone in a position of running the affairs of our club.The odd spat with TD to brighten up our reading pleasure.Ahh,those were the days.Leave all that Pseudo -intellectual stuff to the punters in the various Maryhill drinking establishments,who like nothing better than chewing the fat over Quantum Physics and the Meaning Of Life over their Sherry of an afternoon.
VFR at 11.57am
We took our kids aged 12 & 9 to London last month.
They wanted to see a red phone box and use it.
Phoned my mum, didn’t mention any of the sights of London to her, just that they were phoning from a red phone box!!
Gave my wife and I a good giggle!!