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.
723 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- »
BT
…………I could just about cope with that………but only if I had my back to the telly and the sound was off.
Cheers!
;)
AhllHuvAGrouseThanks CSC
Need to go to specsavers…
Gleneagles………………..?
When I worked in embra………… a lifetime ago
our office Christmas party was a night at the Hotel with partners.
Thems were the days.
Total carnage.
…………..Spirit drunk and Canadian hot tubs with a well upholstered Leith Lassie.
MakeMinesADDouble…CSC
bt
did the same at the open in lytham several years ago – was working for Siemens at the time and spent most of the day in their hospitality tent.
niiiiiiiiice
gene’s
We had a driver for journey home.(not the golf club variety)
What with your employer and my spelling it could have been very interesting
Off to Barcelona for a few days with my 16 yr old son today. Anyone know where I can watch hoops game tomorrow before we head to the camp nou?
The boozer across from the cathedral will probably have it on. Michael Collins.
Morning Bhoys and Ghirls Can you tell me what time K.O. is tomorrow ?H.H.
12.45
bt
when they were looking to relocate their head office from sunbury it was rumoured that they were considering staines.
Instead the telephone operators were able to answer with ‘siemens bracknell’ without embarassment
blantyretim. Thanks fella. H.H.
BT 118. Got your number….
Pesky golf!!!
Went to get the Edinburgh train in dunblane. Aff!
Toddle down to Stirling. Aff!
Drive along to Linlithgow – aff!
Ended up driving to the park n ride at the airport and jumping onto of of Embramike’s fine trams!
Pesky golf!!!
HH jamesgang
JFH
No problem.
Gene’s.. O)
!!Bada Bing!!
09:12 on
26 September, 2014
Good luck to Celtic ST holder, Stephen Gallacher at the Ryder Cup, and Martin Kaymer’s caddy too :)
_________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for that .
I now have a special interest.
Bognorbhoy
See the predictor results from CRC?!?
You could pretty much take this weekend off and still win!!!!
HH jamesgang
bankiebhoy1
09:27 on
26 September, 2014
Gleneagles………………..?
“a well upholstered Leith Lassie.”
________________________________________________________________________
:-)
Poetic description.
Conjures up ….eeerm……images.
Glands was it?
Mammary was it?
Europe v USA? Not a follower of golf but the last day of this wee competition tends to be quite interesting. Might check it out on Sunday.
macjay1 for neil lennon
09:59 on 26 September, 2014
bankiebhoy1
09:27
I’m just left confused?
Did he sleep on a sofa or with a sofa?
ImmoralityCSC
HH jamesgang
james
The mind currently boggling.
In anticipation.
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name
09:29 on
26 September, 2014
==========================
Lytham is my home now, lived in St Annes when the last 2 Open’s were played at Lytham.
Open about a dozen years ago I rented my house out to Ian Baker-Finch and the ABC news team. I marshalled on the 2nd hole at the Open all week last time, what a great week that was. Nicest player of the lot Tom Watson.
Specifically directed to naebdy.
The more sports you enjoy the more fun you have,
The more music you enjoy the more fun you have.
The more women you have………….Hang on. A line has to be drawn somewhere.
Bawsnan
Couple of bhoys I worked with in dhss re located down to your neck of the woods a few year ago.
Went to old Trafford with them to tlrapid game.. Both mad Celtic men..
Gordon J- did you see wee Jason Isbell was the big winner at the Americana awards last week?
He also remakes the title track[ with Mrs I] on the ‘Born in the USA’ covers album.
If they do as good a job on BitUSA as they did with Nebraska we’re in for a treat.
Bawsman
10:04 on
26 September, 2014
Ian Baker Finch.
Extraordinary tale of sporting excellence and the burdens it can bring.
‘mad Celtic men’- where are the cool, calm, collected and sensible Celtic men when they’re needed?
Dbbia
We where all mad Celtic men after that match. 8(
Dontbrattbakkinanger,
Yes – best album and best song I think.
His version of BITUSA is acoustic and slow, much like the original version. And very good.
A day’s leave to watch golf and do the ironing.
Doesn’t get any better than that, Ted.
jamesgang
09:58 on 26 September, 2014
Bognorbhoy
See the predictor results from CRC?!?
You could pretty much take this weekend off and still win!!!!
HH jamesgang
I don’t think l will be betting on my selections…keep your masterpiece clear
HH
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
10:08 on
26 September, 2014
Bawsnan
Couple of bhoys I worked with in dhss re located down to your neck of the woods a few year ago.
Went to old Trafford with them to tlrapid game.. Both mad Celtic men..
===============================================
I’m sure I know the bhoys you are talking about. Paul, Shug (RIP), Frank, Jim?
Strong branch of Fylde Fenians
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
10:10 on
26 September, 2014
Bawsman
10:04 on
26 September, 2014
Ian Baker Finch.
Extraordinary tale of sporting excellence and the burdens it can bring.
===================================
I think he is content with his lot now.
Bawsman
Frank. Ross and Joe where 3 I worked with..
On looking at SFTB link at 00:13 and seen these two belters,
I seen them on QI during the week and have been smiling about it since.
If it was Scotland you just know they would be yer local sevco fans :)))))
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/stupid-criminals-13-botched-crimes_n_806152.html
Bawsman
10:29 on
26 September, 2014
God willing.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
10:31 on
26 September, 2014
============================
Frank took early retirement, he’s a postie now………He’s done a massive amount on Celtic’s history.
I think he is doing a catalogue of every game, ever goal and every scorer in the clubs history.
Never got into golf, I think it has something to do with losing flight of the ball and not knowing where it is going to land, which I associate with umpteen Celtic sieves over the decades.
I used to play pitch & put a fair bit back in the day.