You can only beat the team in front of you, and in that respect, Celtic were scintillating against Nomme Kalju last night. The precision and speed with which they moved the ball was a significant improvement on most of last season, the impact Ryan Christie had on this fact should not be underestimated.
Kalju defended solidly until the opening goal went in. At this, their resistance crumbled. Simultaneously, Boli Bolingoli went off injured, his second injury retirement in three games for Celtic. On this basis, I am not convinced the player is injury-free, which may be inhibiting his performance.
When Mikey Johnston replaced Boli, Kalju were reduced to chasing shadows. When Johnston, Christie, McGregor and Forrest are allowed the dictate tempo to the extent they were last night, they are remarkably effective.
Leigh Griffiths’ goal was cathartic for the player. It was an exceptional free kick, reminiscent of his strike against Hapoel Be’er Shiva three years ago. Last season we succeeded in winning a treble, despite being reduced to one striker for most of the campaign – and to none for some of it. With Leigh back in the squad, Neil Lennon will have options that were not available earlier this year. Including playing two strikers, as he did last night.
With defensive numbers still low. yesterday we signed 28-year-old Israeli Hatem Abd Elhamed. It remains to be seen how Neil Lennon views the player, who made his international debut replacing Nir Bitton last month, and may well replace him as central defensive cover.
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MIT
No commas if you are in a rush. :)
Enjoyed last night,
Good victory for Celtic
I know we are under pressure due to the football and national apartheid that is enforced on us by UEFA in their premier tournament,3 mountains into an 8 mountain ridge to reach their fixed competition,
But
Can we show a little patience with our new signings?Girnin quick news for some re
Boli,Morgan etc,
Celticmac
Hi mate was it not 22 years ago today…Henrik signed
Hope your well
HH
TCC thanks for the information. I must have had a false memory ref Adidas.
Adi, made me 😁.
Spartim, delivering tonight’s first team strips? 👍
England 248-8 only 126 ahead – Ireland have done really well today and have stuck to their task even during a tough period at the beginning of today.
AN TEARMANN on 25TH JULY 2019 5:13 PM
Girnin Quick News – :o}}
I worry about having nothing to worry about……
Hope your’e doing grand.
HH
an tearmann
Whoops! Sure I saw 20 years somewhere!
Not too bad big fellah, and looking forward to next weeks game against the Saints.
Might even try and persuade OldTim to travel through with us.
Hope to run into you at some point.
Hail Hail
That awkward moment when they try to sign Daniel Cousin
Bournesouprecipe
They haven’t tried to sign Cousins again?
I’m reminded of previous occasion when the did and SPL grew a set and said go forth and multiply.
I’ve had advance copy of Tangled Up In Blue to review and that is where the reminder came from.
I’m nearly finished but it’s a book every Tim in Timdon will want to read even though that is not the target audience.
That audience is every football supporter in Scotland that values and fights to keep the truth alive.
It is being published on 19th August so keep ears and eyes open.
The truth that some PEOPLE will not be able to handle.
Auldheid (Gaffer)
I’m looking forward to that already, will watch out for it.
Think it was administration day when the fatal Cousin bid, was knocked back.
The Green a misnomer to end all misnomers, The Rex The 50 pitches, not a blade of grass was seen.
Glad you’re well.
HH
I’m of the opinion Lewis Morgan is not yet at the standard we require.
I’ve stated before i think we need better, i do like Mikey Johnston and think he can be a real star for us in the next few seasons.
I specifically concentrated on Lewis last night as i would love to be proved wrong.
Watch the re-run you will see possession surrendered on at least 8 occasions in his short stint on the field, including a cross into touch.
I know he’s trying to be creative and therefore not everything will come off but that is way short of the standard required.
I see him being used as a substitute mainly although I’d be tempted to give him another loan spell, players need to play to develop imo.
Sheep 1 down
Bada
Apparently new boy Ojo conceded the penalty but is lucky still to be on the park alter an earlier tackle.
Aberdeen’s opponents tonight are managed by Samson.
Samson Pruidze – to be precise.
Aberdeen are 1-0 down after 42 mins (penalty)
Ashley is the new HMRC, an external 3rd party with a key role on the future viability of Rangers. The SD contract, poor governance and fractured ownership ensure there will be no credible new investors or regime change. If there is no change in direction insolvency is assured.
@ David Low
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/11896/vatican-appoints-hell-to-pontifical-academy-for-sciences
No way!
A couple of years back Christie was on most people’s get rid list, now he is an absolute star. Some players develop & grow at a Club, some need to move to new pastures and some reach a glass ceiling & remain journeymen for life.
Questions are currently being asked about Boli & Morgan, I have no real worries about Boli he has a proven pedigree, he just needs time to bed in, Think he is trying a bit too hard to impress at the moment, he will settle.
Regarding Morgan it’s wait & see, there is huge competition for places at Celtic, I don’t expect him to be first choice this season but he has talent so I think he is in the wait & see category.
Bournesouprecipe
They’ve got themselves into the same position as the old club where they are heavily reliant on football results.
Qualify for Europa League and they will be fine for this year, fail and administration looms.
Get the popcorn out.
Lewis hiz it
re boli boli , surley our scouting team would have competed a thorough assessment of his defending capabilities if he was signed as a left wing back back as well as his attacking/ball distribution and fitness levels prior to our record breaking £3 million fee .
Auldheid
Bit of the Swiss Tony advice never hurt anyone
HH
SFTB-you may be correct in KT playing out his skin and still finishing 5/6😉
I wonder if Andy Robertson still regrets going to Hull 🤔
re boli boli
I don’t manage to get to CP very often but can vividly recall watching Greg Stewart of Dundee giving Virgil Van Dyke and Jason Denayer a torrid time a few seasons ago – their defensive partnership looked guff in the early days.
I cant say whether Boli Boli will be a success or not at this time – but neither can anyone else. Let the guy get to know his team mates and relax a wee bit before we make hasty judgements.
Ryan could quite easily have been sent off last night,everyone around me thought it was a red.If you look back he won our free kick for grifs goal not long after it and you could almost see him calming himself down a bit
Dons equalise.
🍀⚽️
With all these young, talented players we have think it’s time we brought someone in to protect them on the field, another enforcer, a Paul Hartley, Barry Robson, Scott Brown type. Yes Scott is still there but he needs back up and the sooner the better. We definitely need another hard man in our team as for sure we will be playing at least domestically lots of hammer throwers.
Rock Tree Bhoy ( Good name)
How would Broonie ` protect` the young guys but manage to remain on the pitch?
JJ
1-1 Aberdeen FT
Well done Dons 1-1
Ftw always something to worry bout with us lol
Celtic mac that would be great
HH
I’ve no idea of the economics of the insurance business but is there a case for allocating a sum above the wage ceiling to a provide a lump sum or pension in the event a player remains with Celtic for the best of his playing days that also covers a premature end to a career.
There is a lot to be said for long term security and I wonder if it is an area Celtic have explored.
What would be the pros and cons of such an approach?
Bournesouprecipe. I still smile when I look at the Bumble Bee T Shirt in that first Boydstone game at Glasgow Green.
We were far from invincible (for a while) and far from invisible, but tried to be.
Bada n Gene
UP YEEZ!
BHOYLO83 on 25TH JULY 2019 3:05 PM
Ah’ll tell ye whit ah didnae lik aboot last night…
The blue boots!!
Griffiths…. blue boots
Edouard…. blue boots
Ah mean wtf?!!
—————————
Young Bhoylo, you being a Belfast Bhoy of course know ..any Blue a Tim wears is Our Lady’s Blue hh amigo
VP
Bet you’re watching the T20 blast – Yorkshire v Lancashire
Just watched first ten minutes of Sevco`s game. Those who disparage the Scottish game would have a hard time finding appropriate adjectives for the football of Estonia and Luxembourg.
Sevco looking pretty good. Obviously, I mean they are playing well. They never look pretty.
Well done the Dons.
JJ
Gene
I have no idea what you’re on about ..? Emmerdale v Corrie ?
I’ve seen enough of Boli to say I’m impressed.
I’ve seen enough of Morgan to say I’m very impressed.
Both will do just fine for us.
I, too, like the look of Morgan . I see Boli as a mixed bag at the moment. He has speed and power but appears rushed in his passing. I am hopeful that he will become a very good player for us.
JJ
Who would win in a fight between Progress Niederkorn and Refweneedafavour FC ?
VP
Spot on – winner plays EastEnders