For all of our dominance yesterday, you have to think there is room for considerable improvement. Passing in the first half was frequently poor, shooting throughout the game was invariably off target, and when we managed to keep it down and between the sticks, the keeper was able to read the shot. Gilks played well, but the truth is we flattered him.
Moussa Dembele grabbed all the headlines with his back-heel-flick-nutmeg-winning-goal, but I spent much of the game debating whether it was time he was rested. Against Newco last month, he held the ball up and linked play, while finding and exploiting space. Yesterday his linking was poor and he seldom found space.
The incisiveness we enjoyed watching as recently as the outing against Manchester City, was missing against Gladback on Wednesday and at Hampden yesterday.
There were also enormous positives. Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko were absolutely critical on Celtic’s grip on the game. Their positioning – when we were in possession – kept the ball flowing. They both gave us playmaker performances, and they didn’t miss a beat defensively either.
Again, just as on Wednesday, it didn’t work for Nir Bitton. When we play out from central defence like this the deep-lying playmaker role is crucial. He need to create space for us to move the ball forward, while he becomes an auxiliary defender as our full backs are so high up the field.
Stuart Armstrong came on and played higher up-field than Bitton and managed to put the squeeze on Newco.
The game reminded me of the League Cup semi-final two years ago, when Celtic subjugated an impotent Newco without scoring the volume of goals their superiority deserved. There was a chasm between the teams, which makes my belief that Celtic can play a lot better all the more interesting. Conversely I suspect that was a high water mark for Mark Warburton’s team.
The portents are good that he believes that game was a sign of progress.
As for Craig Thomson, that was self-evidently not good enough.
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Andy Lynch.
Thanks so much for the response, it’s her 78 th birthday today, I will show her what you said tomorrow. A wee extra present for her.
Best wishes with the book and Hail Hail
SAINT STIVS SAYS SACK THE BOARD
Latchford
McGrain Stanton McNeill Lynch(!)
Murdoch, Aitken, Burns,
Johnstone, Dalglish, Lennox
Sub Timreaper
VFR800A8
The Celtic Fairytale.
MWD … I hadn’t realized until recently that you were unwell …. just glad to hear that you are on the mend, pal.
Good Evening.
Here are a few thoughts about the fallout from yesterday’s game!
“The Magic Gap”
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/10/24/the-magic-gap/
ANGELGABRIEL
Aye Tommy is still playing away at 59. He loves his football and he loves Celtic.
On the penalties:
I didn’t practice them, no but I did have a routine. When we were awarded a penalty I would come from the left back position and take a minute and a half. I’d use that time to think about their goalkeeper and where I put it the last time I scored against him. I’d consider the weather, especially the wind and this is regardless of the score.
Then there’s the pressure. If we were winning 3-0 there would be players asking to take it. No-one asked at 0-0. I’d never let them take it incidentally. I would then, maybe 70% would go to goalkeeper’s bottom left corner with the other 30% to the other bottom corner. If I hit the penalty correctly – right pace and accuracy – then even if the goalkeeper knows where it is going I would still score.
And NEVER change your mind!
Andy Lynch
You did a decent shift on the park for my team. Thanks for ever.
Thanks Andy, of the many quotes said of Jock Stein, this I find interesting.
“Jock Stein put us on the park afraid of no one.”
Bobby Murdoch
Afraid of no-one, I think that all teams look at the balance sheet of another team and believe they can’t win that, they can, we can.
Not restricted to Celtic of course, but hey, a pound never won a game.
Good penalty btw, the poster produced by the View hung on my wall for a few years.
Good insight tonight, thanks for sharing, but you did miss my first question:-)
Andy
Greetings from Sydney.
Personal question. I was introduced to you in the Rock , Highburgh Rd. late `70 s . by a mutual friend.
A guy called Desmond F. who studied law , I think.
Are you still in touch with Des. ?
Andy Lynch, well said about Nir Bitton. A lot of undeserved stick!
I made the exact same point about the Rogic chance earlier. Wee Jamesy would have got it tight as well!
KTF
DALLAS DALLAS WHERE THE HECK IS DALLAS
I scored four goals and I forgot about that or it would have been in my book!
Alfie Conn was a big shock for the reasons you are referring to. He was a decent boy and an okay player for Celtic. He was lucky to be at Celtic when we had such a strong Celtic side.
Pat Stanton was a FANTASTIC signing, just what we needed and he was the last piece of the jigsaw. He came in to the sweeper position and his reading of the game was on another level. He settled the defence. That was a compete team and I had aspirations that we could do something very big in Europe the next season then it all collapsed.
Pat was a quiet guy, he had a great sense of humour and his career was ruined by a dodgy hospital appointement in Shawlands. Long story, I mention it in the book.
Andy.
Thanks for the reply , and for answering other posters questions. Good to get an insight into your experience and opinions. HH
ANDY LYNCH on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 10:04 PM
SAINT STIVS SAYS SACK THE BOARD
Latchford
McGrain Stanton McNeill Lynch(!)
Murdoch, Aitken, Burns,
Johnstone, Dalglish, Lennox
Sub Timreaper
——-
And what a sub he would be….
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON
Yes Des is a still a friend, I see him occasionally. He’s still working away as a lawyer but should be retired.
That’s me for tonight Bhoys. I will see some of you at the CQN 5s on Thursday evening. Be kind to an old Celt.
Hope some of you will pick up the book and enjoy it, Paul Dykes is one special writer.
I know from CQN boys that some of you reading this aren’t too well and I would like to send my best wishes and tanks to the support you gave to me, my team mates and other Celtic players throughout the years. We do have the best support in football.
Good night CQN, and thanks for having me on.
Well said Andy, goodnight.
night night all
thanks Andy
Andy, many thank for gracing Paul’s blog tonight and good luck with the book.
I always recall when watching Big Jocks teams that, no matter how well they played in the first half of a game, when they came out the second half they generally always played better.
Do you share this view and if so have you an explanation on how Jock managed this impact?
Hail! Hail!
ANDY LYNCH on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 10:35 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON
Yes Des is a still a friend, I see him occasionally. He’s still working away as a lawyer but should be retired.
====================================================================
Would you be kind enough to pass on best wishes from the guy who played against him on the right wing for Steamboats.
:-)
:-)
Andy, thanks for answering my question about Pat and Alfie.
Losing Alfie, Pat and Kenny so early in the 77/78 season was then compounded by Danny’s injury against Hibs round about October 77 was my worst season supporting us. Like you I had high hopes for us in Europe.
Older fans have endured worse seasons than 77/78 but following our double the previous season, I was so full of hope.
Andy thanks again for all you did for our team. My favourite memory of you was a picture of Davie Provan at the end of the 4 2 game with you in background on your hands and knees, looking knackered after all the effort you and the other players put in on that wonderful night.
TONTINE TIM on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 9:25 PM
Great stuff , T.T.
Hard days to be a Tim , but the wait was worth it.
Wonder if you remember…
What will we do with Ritchie, Shearer , Caldow ,Davis ,Baillie ,Baxter…….
Another Golden Oldie from the terraces.
Don’t often post on here, more of a lurker, just missed Andys Q&A, interestingly his most difficult opponent was Bobby Houston,
Need to let him know that, Bobby is a taxi driver like myself, I can’t get past him either funnily enough.
Maybe my question was too hard? :-)
MWD
gooooood evening CQN
Missed Mr Lynch :-(
Good interview from Brendan up on BBC sport website from today, and talking about January transfer window
We have 28 players with 4 goalkeepers, and he will not sign anyone unless they improve the team, doesn’t need to add to squad as enough players there who can improve
Will sign if and only if quality player who will be a first team player and can improve on current
Sounds like Brendan in total control here :-)
Based on yesterday hope he keeps big Simonuvic as well
Hail Hail
Macjay1 for neil lennon on 24th october 2016 10.55pm
Do you think Celtic fans who read these pages care that you know a hun defence?
Cowiebhoy
In Brendan we trust
CL Group Stages
Top of the SPFL
Unbeaten domestically
League Cup Final
Hunskelping x 2
48 goals
156 Days of Brendan Rodgers.
OVAN X BHOY on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 11:01 PM
Don’t often post on here, more of a lurker, just missed Andys Q&A, interestingly his most difficult opponent was Bobby Houston,
Need to let him know that, Bobby is a taxi driver like myself, I can’t get past him either funnily enough.
———————————————————————————————————————
I remember Bobby Houston as well. Did he not get brought on against as sub at Firhill and then substituted within five minutes?
Bobby used to join in on our Sunday afternoon kick abouts at Glenwood’s school red ash pitches when he was at the height of his Partick Thistle career. Not much chance of that sort of thing happening these days though Leigh Griffiths is be capable of doing anything to get noticed by Gordon Strachan.
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 11:27 PM
Macjay1 for neil lennon on 24th october 2016 10.55pm
Do you think Celtic fans who read these pages care that you know a hun defence?
=========================================================
Quite frankly my dear , I don`t give a damn.
Scott , Mc Millan , Millar , Brand and that wee ba……………….. Wilson.
Macjay1
Sorry, I’m just in you’re post was the first I read. No harm to you.
Well done to the young bhoys tonight. No 1st teamers poncing around. A good win.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 10:55 PM
TONTINE TIM on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 9:25 PM
Great stuff , T.T. Hard days to be a Tim , but the wait was worth it.
Wonder if you remember…What will we do with Ritchie, Shearer , Caldow ,Davis ,Baillie ,Baxter…….
*does the phrase “ear-lie in the morning” come tae mind.
Thanks for giving up your time Andy, really interesting
TONTINE TIM on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 11:53 PM
It does ring a rather distant bell . :-)
I first heard it , or a variation , heading for the Govan ferry after a 5-2 victory against the huns when Jock was in charge.
It was a night game for the reserves.
Full of the guys you mentioned before. Jim Conway , maybe as well.
Andy Lochhead ?
Anyway a rare victory against the huns was most welcome.
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 11:52 PM
No worries.
Someone on here mentioned watching a film called Mr Church.
Well done that man, great film
Good Evening All.
Just in from a night with my usual Celtic supporting cronies and Mr Innes and Mr Gunn.
I have no idea how long I have been meeting with the same people on a Monday night but it goes back at leat 20 years. We have now reached the stage where one of our sons feels confident enough to enter the fray and tell us we are talking complete and utter crap and that is a fantastic thing.
Anyway, great to read back and hear what Andy Lynch had to say about life and football.
I remember going to Firhill on many an occasion and thinking that on his day Bobby Houston was a right handful. He was part of a very good Thistle side who were brilliantly organised under wee Bertie.
As mentioned earlier I met Andy Lynch on quite a few occasions after he had hung up his boots and always found him to be a lovely fella.
Macjay — you mentioned Des F — another very nice man who is still treading the boards in the legal game although, as Andy says, he should have hung up the gown long ago as he doesn’t need the hassle.
I saw him last at the funeral of an ex St Mungo’s friend a few months ago who was taken far too early and who I have thought of damn nearly every day since.
Tonight was great reading on CQN. The experience and recollections of an ex Celtic player and memories of some very good folk.
Best wishes to all. Good night and may your God go with you.
BRTH
Macjay — you mentioned Des F — another very nice man who is still treading the boards in the legal game although, as Andy says, he should have hung up the gown long ago as he doesn’t need the hassle.
I saw him last at the funeral of an ex St Mungo’s friend a few months ago who was taken far too early and who I have thought of damn nearly every day since.
===========================================================
I was lucky enough in the `70s to have great pals amongst the Mungo fraternity as well.We used to socialise at the Mungo club which was a marvellous venue for our friendly rivalry. Sometimes not so friendly. :-)
The ” Steamies ” whom I mentioned earlier are having a 50 year reunion in May next year. If you see Desi , you might let him know. He knew all of our guys.
Can anyone explain why at the Scott Sinclair free-kick that hits the bar James Forrest is standing well offside to the edge of the 6 yard box on the main stand side?
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 25TH OCTOBER 2016 12:01 AM
TONTINE TIM on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 11:53 PM
It does ring a rather distant bell . :-)
==================================================
As does this one :
Oh ,the bells of hell go ting-a-ling a ling for you yan ——– ————
The halcyon days of youth.
One of the things our club does well – match programme and celtic view as a package.
Why doesn’t our club do well – development team games? I’d say Police Scotland don’t want the hassle accommodated by disinterested Celtic fans. Our uberfans who hoover up away tickets are never there when Celtic’s second team plays.