We know what to expect from Aberdeen tonight. They will flood (pardon the pun) central midfield, defend deeply and, let’s be clear, they will score any time we allow them the kind of space they exploited at Celtic Park this month.
Question is, what will Celtic do about it? If Stefan Johansen’s ankle knock keeps him out the central-mid triangle of Johansen, Brown and Biton will be disrupted, and surely Neil Lennon will not revert to a central two after the Scottish Cup lesson. The picture is further complicated by the injury to Emilio Izaguirre, which forced Charlie Mulgrew back at the weekend. Mulgrew would be a suitable direct replacement for Johansen.
In 10 years doing this stuff I’ve probably used no more than a few dozen words to praise emerging young talent; it’s been a rough decade in that respect. Without wanting to go overboard in any way, Darnell Fisher has looked more than comfortable at right back in the absence of Mikael Lustig and Adam Matthews. Darnell’s problem going forward will be that he has two excellent international players ahead of him in the pecking order, but for tonight, I would be tempted to bring Matthews to left back (if he can do it against Barcelona….) and restore Fisher to the right back slot. This would allow Charlie to sit alongside Scott Brown and Nir Biton in central-mid.
Well done to Frank McAvennie, who is jumping out of an aeroplane 15,000 feet in the air. You can play your part in this exercise by supporting the Quarriers run, Chavey Down residential home, in Newton Mearns, which helps young people up to the age of 16.
The need is for sensory equipment, toys and wheelchair-appropriate play areas. To contribute, go to Frank’s JustGiving page, or text FMSD 89 followed by £1, 2, 3, 5, 10 to 70070.
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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67Heaven/Tonydonnelly67
I took the bother to leave work early ,and travel the 200 mile round trip to Aberdeen.
Get home at 1.00 am on a working day.
Just to support my team.
Did either of you attend the match.
True support can be more than being positive minded .
TT
Tt.
Disagree with your argument.
You have confused mine shafters with reasonable, rounded posters.
The true difference between mine shafters and happy clappers is blind pessimism vs blind optimism.
Hebcelt.
Our lack of movement off the ball is a major flaw in our play ,when we look to attack.
TT
quonno 11:45 on 26 February, 2014
“Leaving aside that I have long though that the last defender/denying a goal scoring chance rule is a nonsense I have only one crib about last night’s result.
That is. Why is NL still including in his squad a player who time at Celtic is apparently up and his presence in no way enhances the future of the club?”
Because Celtic pay his wages. He is still part of the squad and available for selection.
LiviBhoy – God bless wee Oscar
11:53 on 26 February, 2014
It’s hard to blood youngsters and new players when every defeat is treated like a disaster.
Neil Lennon needs to get this league wrapped up and let some of them loose and try different things out.
Last night Aberdeen got the luck that is required at times to win football matches. They got a red card decision which was debateable. They got a wonder goal that could easily have flew miles over the bar or out for a shy and they rode a lot of luck in the 2nd half. It happens.
I didn’t see the game until this morning. Myself and Mrs LB listened to the game on the radio.
Chick Young was amazed that Peralta for Sevco was not sent off for his first challenge. He then made another and he was also amazed that a red card wasnt given. The guy wasn’t even booked! This is Chick Young we are talking about so the tackles must have been horrific!
I also noted that Willie Miller was on the open all mics for the Celtic match. I said to my wife at the red card. No way was that a red card. She asked how I could tell. Willie Miller at no point said it was a red card during commentary. He maybe did later and I could tell from the reaction he thought it was harsh.
There you have it. Luck? Honest mistakes?
We have had decades of this nonsense. We know how to deal with it now. Be better than the other team and when you get the chance to kill them off do it and don’t stop doing it!
I think we need a couple of battlers in the squad. Maybe the youngsters will do that for us.
LB
————————————————
You didn’t check out the Ettrick then?! :-)
I listened on radio too and yeah – wee Chick was apoplectic about Peralta remaining on the field after what sounded like every tackle he made. Yellow card then he was hooked.
THM 11.56
I would be willing to concede to your point for a pint(:-)
I think you are well behind on our bet?
TT
Beebawbabbity,
Have to put my hands up here.
At the time watching it last night on Celtic TV,I thought it looked a pen but the lack of reaction from players and the ball looking initially as if it was going to Griffiths for a tap-in distracted me.
I looked at the video of it again today and it’s really blatant.The guy wraps two legs around Stokes to stop him scoring into an empty net.
Just another “honest mistake” to add to the list eh?
NatKnow – Supporting Wee Oscar (11:47), I think Baldé has played a total of 68 minutes (of regulation time) in our last 14½ games, since tyhe start of the clean sheet record run. That is just over 2/3rds of one game. How much have we paid him in wages during that time?
To his credit, even in his ridiculously limited time on the pitch he has still managed to contribute in terms of goals and assists. And he always makes an effort, in spite of the fact that he is frequently brought on with just a couple of minutes to go!
If we are not going to utilise him (or any other player), then why is he at CP?
Leigh Griffiths has arrived (some time after Baldé) and appears to have gone straight into the first team, whilst Baldé seems not to be part of the first team picture.
hebcelt
11:51 on 26 February, 2014
proudbhoy take your point on these two games but overall we seem to be too static . In fact these two games sort of prove the point,good off the ball movement good result-usually Hail Hail Hebcelt
—
Yeah buddy am agreeing with ye , using them 2 games as examples of what abit of movement can achieve
We lack quality up front, yes they are good enough for the SPL, just that is, but are way behind on the European stage.
Does any body really believe that Lenny wants Stokes and Griffiths as his front two.
Stefan Johansen imo is a very good buy who will move the ball along with pace but he needs players in front of him who will match him but we don’t have them, maybe Leigh can step up.
We are close to having a very decent side but will PL allow Lenny to get them in on time? i think we all know the answer to that. Qualify first as allways.
KTF
THE HONEST MISTAKE
The difference between a mineshafter and a happyclapper?
My Dad is a happyclapper. And am urnae.
Strangely,he takes defeat harder than I do,as do most happyclappers.
Maybe because I hate saying-told you so-I rarely comment on a defeat.
Too busy crying into my pint,tbh.
I saw someone mention commons shud be rested for a game or 2.. I agree
Id give Forest a couple games on left.. Biton and johansson in middle with brown on right.
Mgrew in at ch to replace virgil
proudbhoy Re: Scott Brown reluctantly I have to agree with you,he has great qualities but I think he is part of our past not our future. He will be a hard act to follow as a leader, he is obviously well liked in the dressing room but we should be preparing for a future without him. Hail Hail Hebcelt
BigChipsUK – There are only two SPL teams in Glasgow… Celtic and Partick Thistle
12:00 on 26 February, 2014
NatKnow – Supporting Wee Oscar (11:47), I think Baldé has played a total of 68 minutes (of regulation time) in our last 14½ games, since tyhe start of the clean sheet record run. That is just over 2/3rds of one game. How much have we paid him in wages during that time?
To his credit, even in his ridiculously limited time on the pitch he has still managed to contribute in terms of goals and assists. And he always makes an effort, in spite of the fact that he is frequently brought on with just a couple of minutes to go!
If we are not going to utilise him (or any other player), then why is he at CP?
Leigh Griffiths has arrived (some time after Baldé) and appears to have gone straight into the first team, whilst Baldé seems not to be part of the first team picture.
————————————————-
I can understand the reason Leigh goes straight into the team – he’s a proven goal scorer at various clubs. Hopefully Amido will be too – but we’re hardly giving him a chance to prove this by only ever bringing him on with 3 mins remaining. I understand that youngsters need to be introduced gradually, but this just seems pointless.
medtim
11:01 on
Agreed re the Stokes incident that one was a red card and a penalty, assistant should have brought to refs attention.
VVD deserved his red card, deffo a sending off denied goal scoring opportunity, if it was our striker hacked down in similar position we would be screaming for a red.
The handball incident, at first I didn’t think it was then later I saw it from a different angle and it did look like a pen.
One think though we then scored from the same passage of play so if we had penalty we wouldn’t scored the Forrest goal, so I’m of the belief that it had no material efect on the overall result of the game.
Lenny’s tatics in the first half cost us in my opinion. I think a more expierenced manager would have taken off one of the strikers and put another body in the midfield to give the defense more protection.
Tt.
A half full pint instead? :)
I thought so as well until I realised that stokes had done nothing for the 20 odd games previous to his hat trick.
I believe that there are a few goals in it at the moment but a few goals could be enough to send you over the horizon.
Hh.
If you never know the pain of defeat, by what measure do you define joy?
NATKNOW
I reckon Griffiths playing off Amido is an ideal combination for Europe,set up for breaking on the counter.
Hopefully they will get the chance to prove me right,or even wrong.
DontPatmadug
09:38 on
26 February, 2014
Sweet sweet the memories…………
Thanks.
TT
“Dalglish,McGrain,Macari ,Hay,McCluskey,Burns,Aitken,McStay,Nicholas,Crainey,Creaney,Grant,McGeady.
We’re all played at a young age because they were good enough.”
I will grant you the first 8 names and the last one but “Grant, Crainey & Creaney” were played at a young age because the guys they replaced were not good enough and neither were they. There is a world of difference. Thank god we do not have to play that level of player as our first choice; guys who went on to have fairly undistinguished post-Celtic careers.
I would also point out that Lou and Pat McCluskey left us before they were 25 years old. Kenny made it to 26 before leaving. So we were a sell and re-build club then.
What is different nowadays is that a youngster has to supplant a proven international player (Two, in Darnel Fisher’s case) in order to break through into the first team.
Tiny Tim
Like many in here I love my club and I am very passionate about them, but you see the thing is, I don’t like negativity around me, in any way, form, or manner, Celtic are and always have been a big part of my life, like many I will defend them to the end, and it’s my opinion that counts to me, as in not seeing other peoples thoughts, I do see them, and hear them too, but if it’s negativity and not saying good things about my club I’m not interested, 11 players with the hoops on trying there best is all I ask, and I, me personally , I got that last night, I just can’t for the life of me think why people would start talking about CL qualifiers, and us not ready, I don’t get it sorry, must be just to much positive stuff in my head that Celtic are the greatest.
That was my first away game for many years, and I now appreciate the extent of the cheating more…..when you are actually at the game, you ‘see’ more….I was gobsmacked …..the best ref in Scotland …..God help us……he couldn’t wait to book Celtic players at the slightest opportunity, and nearly broke his wrist gettig the red card out of his pocket….he should have just carried it in his mooth……hurtin huns
Bmcuwp.
Just because you urnae a happy clapper doesn’t mean you are a mine shafter. The vast majority of the posters and celtic support sit somewhere in between.
Greeting into your pint might fill it back up but won’t make you any drunker.
HH.
the honest mistake loves being first
‘Greeting into your pint might fill it back up but it won’t make you any drunker’
You think? bmcuw’s body fluids are probably 60 per cent proof. ;-)
Off oot for a wee swim…..looking forward to breaking the record again, and the World record(s) ….and, remember, only the living can dream…….
THE HONEST MISTAKE
Bearing in mind how the local landlord waters the beer,it probably will!
eddieinkirkmichael,
Re your final point.Totally agree.
As soon as VVD was shown the card we should have,imo,put on Fisher.
We didn’t change things till half time and by then we were really up against it.
I think that was a fairly obvious error of judgement from the manager.The big question is…..will he learn from it?
For me,Neil Lennon is a great guy and a good manager.In order to become better than good you have to be a “learning” manager.I’m not sure he is yet (eg his persistence in repeatedly playing players/formations which have let him down many times but he still does it)
I REALLY hope he becomes a “learning” manager
DOCTOR WHATFOR
?!
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox:
We were not a selling club back then, we did not need the money to survive, the players just wanted more than Celtic were prepared to pay.
Being a regular attender to Pittodrie, while disappointed with the outcome I thought last night ‘s game was a cracker and I won’t shed any tears if AFC come in 2nd.
They are IMO the 2nd best team and put a lie to any Hun delusion that Scottish football will die without them. The resurgence of AFC & DUFC to be welcomed from my perspective.
2 points I thought worthy of discussion. Griffiths was superb – loving his work rate and also his leadership in directing Stokes to work harder. I did feel LG’s yellow for tackle on Hayes could easily have been red ?
Also what is the gig with Lenny and Balde? It makes no sense to me.
Over all we are 21 points clear and have again developed players. If we keep Biton he will be a big player for us next year. Even the AFC fans I know acknowledged that after last night .
steinreignedsupreme
11:04 on 26 February, 2014
hen1rik 10:54 on 26 February, 2014
Yes spot on mate lost the plot there tbh.
bmcuw
Jist a wee joke neebur. Nae offence.
Doctor whatfor, Bmcuwp.
Brilliant stuff.
HH!
Afternoon all.
Well all good things must come to an end. I didn’t contribute last night and haven’t even read back this morning but I gather from someone who was at Pittodrie and someone else who watched the game on Alba that we at least deserved a draw.
Thompson seems to have messed up as usual. Is there a competent referee(I was going to say good) in Scotland?
DOCTOR WHATFOR
Trust me,none taken. We posted similar replies at the same time.
If ever ACGR finds out about the 60% I’m deid…
This is how it FFin’ feels:
“If the board stood in the centre circle at a home game and made ‘gestures’
such as a one or two finger salute and also directed laughter and abuse ( such as “f*** you”) at all four stands – what would the reaction be ??
Would there be silence and generally no reaction ???
I would like to think (surely to god) that the place would errupt and all hell would break loose.
So this example that I use IS effectively what they are doing now – just not on the Ibrox pitch when the stadium is full.
WHY then, is there little or no en-masse challenge to these spivs who continue to rape our club ? Why no Direct, hard hitting action/protest ?? What exactly are we waiting for ????”
A wee break from the football, for you aviation & war buffs……..
http://pippaettore.com/Horrific_WWII_Statistics.html
hen1rik @ 10:54
Have a look at the CV of this guy the original judge who stepped down from Taxcase
As I posted yesterday after attending the morning session, according to hmrc legals, they all knew that Doherty was hearing the UTT case not Bishopp – no stepping down.
Anyway off to the gym and let the podium hunters hover ….