Outside Hampden, a wise man told me, “We’re going to win, because you wouldn’t want one of their players in our starting lineup.” This is 100% true, but Philippe Clement’s gameplan came perilously close to working.
Celtic dominated possession (67%) and, when things clicked, played all the attractive football. Newco, however, had almost twice as many attempts at goal (19 to Celtic’s 10). Their keeper kicked the ball long most of the afternoon, their players got stuck in so effectively, they picked up 8 yellow cards (which is fair enough), and they had one tactical masterstroke which combined with the direct and combative style, almost got them over the line.
The reason they came so close, despite having an inferior squad, is that they figured out how to press Celtic. Their first two goals came from a press which looked like it was triggered by a starting pistol. Passes by Greg Taylor (led directly to a goal) and Liam Scales (led to a corner and subsequent goal) were intercepted as Newco’s midfield and forward players sprinted into action.
Newco’s clear strategy of attack was to give the ball to the Celtic defence. That’s why Jack Butland kicked long, that’s why, from kick off in the 88th minute, they launched a long ball into our territory. Give it to the Celtic backline and pounce on the results.
We watched this game against Brugge and again at Dinamo Zagreb (and to an extent at Pittodrie). Three opponents have now figured out how to stop us passing through a press and each game has ended in a draw as a consequence.
At halftime I hoped Brendan would be able to sort this but changes were largely ineffective. Alex Valle’s appearance at the start of extra-time improved things, his first touch and choice of pass was on point, although by then, Newco were tiring and running the clock down.
The strategy which sees us miles ahead in the league, on nine points in the Champions League and with the League Cup back in Paradise has been rumbled. This will be our first uninterrupted week with a full squad on the training field since August. The manager has work to do.
The game came alive when Celtic were able to get the ball to Nicolas Kuhn, which was all too seldom. He crafted and scored what should have been a winner in the closing minutes of normal time. Daizen Maeda’s goal was so typical of his play over the last three years against Newco. His speed took the ball off Balogun’s toe, before a delightful cushioned touch and finish.
Penalty kick competitions feel like a lottery when you lose; you find evidence they are not when you win. Nine of the 10 kicks were excellent, even the saved kick, low and a yard inside the post, was not a bad penalty. Both teams clearly practised last week.
Kasper Schmeichel read four of the kicks he faced and dived to the correct side. It was a matter of time before he stopped one. Jack Butland only went the right way once. That’s why Celtic won the cup!
We won one League Cup only once in each of the 1970, 80s and 90s, a period which saw Rangers collect the trophy on 15 occasions. Celtic then collected the trophy four times in the 2000s, five in the 2010s and now three times in the 2020s with five to play.
So much football history played on at Hampden yesterday. These are special times, enjoy them!
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Apols to the blog
Great pic doing the rounds of the Bhoys enjoying a night at the darts in London, been a tough schedule, they’ve earned it
BELMONTBRIAN
No need to apologise. I think you speak for most of us.
Celtic B team will face Rangers in the Glasgow Cup Final tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec 17) and you can watch the match on Celtic TV.
The match is the delayed final from the 2023/24 season and takes place at The City Stadium, formerly Lesser Hampden.
It’s a 7pm kick-off as Stephen McManus’ side look to grab their own piece of silverware against the blue half of Glasgow.
Join Gerry McCulloch and Celtic Youth Coach, Willie McNab, on commentary to keep you up to date with all the action.
https://www.youtube.com/live/g9_prvmzYKI?si=T3Cxi_uSEEJtt5H5
https://cdn.celtsarehere.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-15T170523Z_718955407_UP1EKCF1BGXK2_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-SCOTLAND-CEL-RAN-REPORT-1920×1253.jpg
https://cdn.celtsarehere.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/scales-1920×1360.jpeg
See wee p67 makin an appearance on bbcscotland the9
HH
What a time to be Bhoy. Enjoy whilst we can. Best time I have had since starting to support Celtic since late 1960’s.
HH
Bada Bing :-)))
https://x.com/antearmann1967/status/1868766086541590868?s=19
HH
Stewart explained how Forrest stepped up for Celtic last season when the team ‘needed’ some life in the wide areas and how he ‘isn’t playing as often’ now, as he told Premier Sports (15/12/24 at 6:40 pm).
“Last season, when at times, they were on the ropes Celtic, he came into the team and it was around the time when Brendan Rodgers said that ‘he is the best wide man who is still at the club’,” said Stewart.
“They were needing experience. They were needing players to come in and really put in performances, and he did that. They were needing it big time.
“The team is fairly settled now and he isn’t playing as often, but the career he has had at Celtic is quite incredible. 25 winner’s medals, is it?! Unbelievable.”
Bada Bing
Hope Brendan duznt see the foto. Few beer cups on the table .😁
Go on bhoys,you deserve it.
Just don’t meet up with Macca later !
Big CCV trolling the uglies with the score. 😂
Enjoyed Blog tonight so tempted to post.
Just on the subject of the Huns wanting to give us the ball & rely on a mistake to hit us on the break.
I remember being intrigued by a Mourinho interview a good few years ago . When he said he never feared losing a goal when the opponents had the ball, the only time he worried was when his team was in possession.
Just found this on the internet , can’t verify it’s accuracy but makes sense that the Huns don’t actually know the rules of the game :: here goes
If there is a “continuation foul” by the defending team (best example is somebody pulling or pushing somebody else), if any portion of that foul occured IN the penalty area (including on the line), then this is a penalty kick. So a defender pulling an attacker that starts OUTSIDE the penalty area is committing a direct free kick offense. But a smart referee will allow that play to continue for a bit…if the defender is dumb to continue that INTO the penalty area, then the foul “upgrades” to a penalty kick.
Situations in which it may not be a penalty kick: Attacker is on the line, but the “pull” is on a part of his body which has NOT YET entered the penalty area (perhaps being pulled by his trailing arm). In that case, the foul is still technically OUTSIDE the penalty area, so still a direct free kick only (until the moment the foul itself ‘carries to’ the line, and thus into the the penalty area).
Another example: if a player is tripped and lands inside the penalty but the trip was OUTSIDE, then it is still a direct free kick rather than a penalty kick.
——
So if big Liam grabs a random Hun by the shirt and his shirt is outside the box then until his shirt then it’s a free kick irrespective of whether his foot is placed.
——
Remember the Huns squealing last season when they wanted a pen for Killie against us when AJ fell over and to stop his face crashing into that mental AstroTurf he put his arm down to break his fall , ball thumped off his arm but hey no pen as his arm was used primarily to break his fall.
——-
Seems to me that Willie C will clear this confusion yet again by the Hun over the rules , not surprising given their decades long scant regard for just about all the rules.
—-
HHgotthatoffmychestcfc
Play through the lines quicker and mix it up a little, be more direct at times as well. Don’t need to change tactics, shape greatly. Needs to be remembered we have been playing lots of games and have been forced to make lots of changes.
For some reason sevco and the nedia think every time there is contact in the box it should be a penalty, so long as its in their davour. That’s not how it work guys. My guess is the initial tackle by scales lead to the foul, the whistle was blown and the pull was a second phase and irrelevant. Just like when, I think, hatata got fouled twice and the ref pulled it back to original foul.
Sevco’s nonsense is all about defection from yet another lose.
STEPHBHOY67 on 16TH DECEMBER 2024 11:03 PM
…..
scales grabbed Cernys shirt which was outside the penalty area , it absolutely doesn’t matter that Cernys foot was on the line. Rules state that is a free kick not a penalty.
I’m sure Willie will clear it up in his weekly podcast.
HH
Good evening all from Govanhill. Fish supper, a few beers and a rerun of the match without the stress. Ye cannae whack it.👍😁🍻
https://x.com/CelticEnded2iar
This guy serves up a running R2ngers commentary after each disappointment.
Doubling over with laughter at this comment about the Lisbon Lions.
“They shouldn’t even have one star. Their goal in the final was offside”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ultra groups running about fighting is dumb as fuck, but if they wanna do it go find a big field away from the rest of us and makes sure ordinary Joe’s are not involved in something they don’t want involved in. Why the police allowed a sevco crowd to marched through the gallowgate/ merchant city targeting known celtic pubs is beyond me, they know exactly what they are doing and the trouble they have planned. It is the height of cowardly behaviour by the crowd itself and stupidity by plod to allow it to go off.
EKBhoy on 16th December 2024 11:12 pm
At least one of us knows the rules and it ain’t me, I just presumed it was two separate incidents.
Kris Boyd needs to be sacked by Sky Sports as he isn’t impartial when it comes to him making statements about our football team ,McCoist is another one who needs replaced on TNT sports ,can someone really explain to me why so many ex Sevco players get these gigs .
Timbhoy163
Turn your telly doon,ignore what it says.
Remember they are getting paid to create exactly the reply you give.best ignored,
OR
Turn it up giggle and laugh
Dont take the continuity huns seriously
Enjoy Celtic
HH
Paul67
A very accurate assessment of yesterday’s match .
We still need to recruit the power and pace that Brendan highlighted last spring .
In recent matches over a number of weeks,we have afforded too many chances to our opponents.
Shmeichal has saved us .
Killie away and Hibs at home he was MOTM.
Hearts away .
It is concerning.
Our priority needs to be to find a replacement for Cal Mac , over the next 12 months.
He can then share the role.
He is burning out .
TT
BRRB….
Good to see you and the Missus back hame safe and sound.
I was out yesterday drinking some of my winnings from the Bookies with the Correct Score of 3-3 in 90 minutes on Sunday.
Ladbrokes paid out on odds of 28/1…..but BET365 Paid out odds of 40/1. I backed the Correct Score with BOTH Bookies. I SHOULD have noticed the bigger odds were with BET365….Before I placed a Bet with LADBROKES at 28/1.
No real harm done methinks.
My MAIN Bet was Celtic to win 3 – 2 at odds of 28/1….So I was cursing my luck when the Huns scored their 3rd Goal with about 3 minutes to go….but then I remembered my TWO ” 3 – 3″ Correct Score Bets were on.
Not too shabby.
Feck the Huns.
LOL.
HH.
As for DAIZEN ADMITTING that He had Mis Kicked his winning Penalty after the match. I noticed that Mis Kick when I first saw the ” UNIQUE ANGLE” Footage.
With DAIZEN ” owning up” to his winning Penalty Mis Kick, that ” Admission” will surely annoy the Huns even more….Is it possible for the Huns to get even more ugly and angrier than they already are ?
I’m Loving it.
LOL.
HH.
As for Greetin Ugly Face ” Kris Boyd” demanding that Rangers protest to the SFA……I do NOT remember this HUN CHUMP demanding any investigation when the Ref and Match Officials were awarding the Huns Penalties every feckin week…..or when that Hun ” RYAN KENT” clearly struck a punch on Scott Browns chin on the half way line during a game. KENT only got a Yellow Card for THAT Assault !
The earlier Poster on here is correct….SKY SHOULD SACK the Hun CHUMP.
Message for the Huns….” We welcome the chase….119 and Counting” !
LOL.
HH.
StephBhoy67
the polis have been marching thru celtic areas with the onion bears for a couple of years now. 2 tier policing for real. the GB are kettled everywhere they turn up.
Morning
Jimmy good to hear you’re out and about enjoying your winnings👍🏻
Good article – it’s not back to the drawing board by any means but defo need a few tweeks to the game plan. Need a bit more pace about the play but most importantly movement from front players IMHO. The defenders have nothing to hit as they are all standing still and easy to mark. Need lateral movement out to in and in to out to move the defenders and open some gaps – at the moment there are no gaps so there are no pass’s on so the ball goes back or square. As someone said earlier too mix it up and look for the longer pass too and get defenders turned – we have the pace. The best players and teams make and find space to make and receive the ball and we need to re-emphasise that. I think we are caught short at the back as we try to overload with players rather than smart play which when you make an error or are intercepted leave you so open at the back. CCV deserves a medal for that block on Sunday but in all honesty better players would have made that chance count.
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Regarding the neds from both sides, and they were from both side, the strongest of action needs taken. To have that in city centre is just appalling regardless of how started it.
The police need to toughen up and stop facilitating these groups and both clubs need a joint statement and joint action. They and we know how these groups are and strong action needs taken now. Start with away game tickets and then if required home games. The clubs need to take control as they don’t have it at the moment. We cannot allow this to become a thing
It looked like Kitty OSheas was boarded up in edinburgh yesterday when I passed. Anyone know why ?
Morning all.
Radio Scotland having a phone-in about the trouble pre-match on Sunday.
deflect , deflect, deflect
Happy birthday to the Holy Father
88 today Pope Francis
regardless of how it started ?
b/s
you may not like the GBs politics, pyros, tifos, songs whatever but the polis most definitely do not treat both sides the same wee neds or not
this goes way back to the first time the GB were kettled at the barras
the a-holes we have in govt will milk this as much as they can
the msm will go an bout this and the penalty for longer
I am not denying the facts; but the violence is over exagerated.
Groups of young men arranging meets, dressing up and playing chase was the main theme.
Both sets tagging trains, buildings etc then defying clubs, authorities and police by again demonstrating that nobody, but nobody will tell them pyro is banned from games.
Ultras doing what ultras do.
I would not be surprised if members of both groups met up for a chin wag on the Monday morning.
There was far more impact and disruption in the city centre on the Saturday with a council sanctioned hate fest closing off city centre streets in one of the busiest days of the year.
The hyprocricy from the leader of GCC and the first minister is astonishing.
HH.
MOISEY17 on 17TH DECEMBER 2024 7:56 AM
————-
Agree 100% with all you write.
We know we have a problem that needs to be dealt with – a ‘boil that needs to be lanced’. Only when we do this will we be able to point the finger at the ‘other lot’ At the moment we are ‘tarred with the same brush’ because of the involvement of a rogue element that portrays itself as Celtic supporters – they’re not! – by definition they are Celtic detractors – they hurt and harm the club.
The make up of our ‘problem’ is obvious, recognisable and quantifiable. The club must seize the initiative for the well being of the club and the overwhelming majority of supporters.
What happened in Glasgow town centre is a public order issue and must be dealt with by police and authorities, however the club has a responsibility to root out those who cause hurt and harm in Celtic Park and at away fixtures.
Quite frankly I’m appalled that the club has not moved quicker on this. When, for instance, the pyro curse was discussed at the AGM, the response from the board was unconvincing. It knows fine well what it can do but seems reluctant to do it. If we don’t deal with it – it will deal with us – it already has under UEFA, with never ending fines and a suspended ban on travelling fans. HH