Last night’s convincing win was exactly what was needed. Hearts were subjugated by three goals and an avalanche of chances, John Guidetti got off the mark and we kept a clean sheet after eight games without one.
We are a lot more potent up front than we were a month ago and the return of Scott Brown in central mid has tightened things up but that defensive record remains a concern. Hearts were utterly outplayed and failed to score, but that wasn’t for the lack of hospitality from their hosts.
It’s not clear what the difference is between last season’s record-breaking run of domestic clean sheets and our current porous look. Jason Denayer is partnering Virgil instead of Efe Ambrose, while Efe has been shunted right to cover for injured Adam Matthews and Mikael Lustig, but this wasn’t the case for some of our European nightmares last month.
Apart from last night’s pass between two statues, Emilio has overcome his early season jitters and Craig Gordon has been impeccable in goal.
It’s more likely that whatever changes have happened to the shape of the team, specifically, what is happening in front of the defence. Emilio’s back-pass last night occurred when he was under pressure and his midfield options were busy looking for a forward pass. Anthony Stokes’ error on Sunday led to Motherwell’s goal, but it happened on the halfway line. Against Motherwell! Who were able to exploit a lack of defensive cover.
Ronny’s Celtic press quickly and high up the field. I like this plan. As he navigates the squad into a position where this is their natural state there will be transitional damage, but the basis of every successful team is keeping the back door shut.
It will be some time before the manager gets a chance to finalise his defence as he awaits the return of Matthews and Lustig, and he decides on whether to partner van Dijk with Ambrose or Denayer (or Lustig), while Emilio could benefit from being pushed on the left by Charlie Mulgrew. In the meantime, Brown and Johansen, together with whoever plays wide, will need to practice their reverse gears.
St Mirren have failed to score in five of their last eight games, so as well as three points, and a clean sheet, we should be looking for whoever plays in goals to have a trouble-free afternoon.
Thanks to everyone who donated to the Great Scottish Run fund in aid of the Celtic Foundation, and to those who signed up for the race to do their bit. I know our gas has been at a peep recently but the flame of why we are Celtic fans burns as brightly as ever.
You can sign up for the race through the Foundation here, or if you’ve misplaced your trainers, you can help me hit my target here.
[calameo code=0003901718cdc4362fa2e? lang=en page=4 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]Many thanks.
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Bada
I was saying something very similar re the talismanic possibilities of John Guidetti.
Definite cheerio now,
JJ
RYECATCHER
£500k?
Bit overpriced,IMO.
Not far short of what the huns paid for Butcher.
Butcher was England captain,McLaughlin uncapped by Scotland.
Main reason we lost the league that season was squabbling about new contracts for existing players,not lack of new signings.
Dallas Dallas
yeh thought about st ettiene as it is my given name, well the french variety.
First martyr and all….
ryecatcher
i am with your dad – still hurts to this day
Gene’s
pv got a new manager?
Neilson is a hun fae EK
A hun fae EK
canny believe that
bt
Micky adam’s assistant -rob page got the job till the end october – apparently they have had 40+ applications for the job. Wonder if lenny, malky and moeys are on the list.
out ceo is a badket case when it comes to running a football club
upthevaleCSC
Eddie
I hope last bit was jestin
moeys =moyes
SOAL- They have been very quiet for a few years :)
BMCUWP…
I’m thinking you were the same as me that season and a frequent attendee?
Celtic were better than Souness’ Huns Middle to front that season, and we were still clear of that lot even after the Ne’erday humbling.
I reckon we were a centre half short of retaining the title,regardless of the contract situations.
The Rangers team crowned champions after we chucked a huge lead away , were not a good side at all.Their manager proved himself as a shite one after he left behind Minty’s Millions (haha) in 1992.
All about opinion mate.
Badabing 20:49
I hope so too,regards Guidetti.he certainly looked a good yin last night and took his goal well.it would be great if he signs up for us during this loan spell.i think the more he plays the better he will get
.it is such a pity late registration prevent him playin EL qualifiers.
Heres hoping mhate :-)
HH
BB
Unless Celtic get their act together quick they could and will become very noisy
Love
Yes, lads, of course- Mark Reid, our long-forgotten left back (decent player and good pen taker if I remember) scored the winning pen vs Dons in 83.
Unusual game in that we had it as a home tie despite it being a semi-final. Can’t remember reason why, but ground packed, jungle bouncing and a narrow victory to celebrate in a tight contest. Andy Lynch of course scored the winning pen 6 years before vs Penny Dreadful in 77 cup final. Dalglish’s last game. I think.
BT
What a brilliant read.
BMCUW
Was it not around that time the Board said to Davie, you can sign who u like , but It will need to come out of your own pocket!
Typical foresight from the suits
SOAL- Aye,the jurys’ still out on RD.
the spirit of arthur lee
20:40 on 25 September, 2014
America’s military might is surely adequate enough to go to war without the UK’s help? Imagine what that money could do for the poor?
**********************************
SOAL
With due respect, I hate politics on the blog.
And that post is as bad as it gets…..
Utter nonsense.
HH
BURGHBHOY
Indeed,mate. About my old class-mate Stevie Clarke.
RYECATCHER
That was the first season I moved South. Leading by about twelve at New Year when I left,lost by about the same.
I was home for The Centenary Season though. Then offski again…
An Tearmann
If you liked it, try this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atRWjea_b8M
Please excuse his spelling of Kirriemuir
Sandman.
I will gladly stand to be corrected but i think KD last game at Dunfermline.Testimonial friendly maybe.Then signed for Liverpool next day.(no google).
Sandman
Aberdeen LCSF was 1983-4 season
SF was two leg affair, we were better team in 0-0 at a frozen Pittodrie. M Reid pen was the only goal of the tie.
M Reid also scored injury time pen equaliser in the final v deid club as we came from 2-0 down.
We lost to a extra time rebound penalty – needlessly and clumsily conceded by R Aitken.
I replaced the water in my fish tank with lilt.
It looks really tropical now.
Sandman….
Was the Mark Reid game not in 84?
Fat Sally scored a hat trick against us in the final?
Remember being at it and going to my mate’s 21st that night and he was born in 63
Aff tae check up again……..
normanstreet49
Sorry
Oops ….
Squire danaher thank you
NaeneedtaegooglenowCSC
Bada howz things.
Did u see my post during game last night.If u can could u contact me on Whatsapp tomorrow when u have time.Ta.
sandman
21:14 on 25 September, 2014
Yes, lads, of course- Mark Reid, our long-forgotten left back (decent player and good pen taker if I remember) scored the winning pen vs Dons
Mark Reid was indeed a seriously good left back in a seriously good team with shite central defenders.
Would be a first pick in the current team.
SOAL
No worries Mo Chara.
We live in strange times…..
HH
bognorbhoy totally
jackie mac
;-))
Zico- replied mate
The pieman’s hat trick was a Glasgow Cup Final at Poundland on a Friday night,not long after the beast took over.
Blantyre, I’ve had a soft spot for St Etienne since the 1976 european cup final v Fc Hollywood. Their fans were magnificent.
One of my sisters worked at Govan polis station at the time and managed to get a polis she was friendly with to get me into the game for hee-haw.
I always hoped we would adopt the St Etienne song, allez les verts.
Their cuurent home strip is good but would look a lot better without the sponsor’s red emblem. Red is a colour that doesn’t right in a green & white strip.
I passed through Bridgeton tonight on my way home. One of the boozers there had a red hand fleg with a blue trim round it. When I got close to it, there was a star of David with the red hand enclosed in it. Looked weird, Israel flag enclosing the red hand fleg.
Hopefully, we push on from last night and get a confidence building victory this Saturday.
Dallas
older brother was at that match, think I still have the scarf upstairs somewhere.
!BADA BING!
Nope,he definitely got a hat-trick in League Cup 84.
Two penalties,btw. Valentine the ref.
Kinda thinking something not adding up with ‘Rangers Man’ Brother Bain taking up his position with an Israeli club owned by a guy,who allegedly has a large washing machine which can turn shekels into Dollars, Sterling or even Smackaroonies (copyright Kevin Bridges).
Early recce visit to position a 21st century Star of David financial backing at its spiritual home in Edminston Drive just in time for the Tribute Act to come snarling back at us next season?
Don’t say you weren’t warned to put a hose in it’s mouth when you had the chance Lawell…….Don’t say you weren’t warned……
Maybe you didn’t want to,ey?
adi_dasler
21:09 on 25 September, 2014
Eddie
I hope last bit was jestin
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Sorry you lost me mate?