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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Bawsnan
He emailed me last year looking for some pictures to help him with it..
My friends in Celtic,
Now as the dust begins to settle after the referendum, I am looking for Celtic to outline their future ambitions and strategy.
I am assuming we have such.
I want clarity on issues such as :- Have we or do we intend making any enquiries ( Short term & long term ) to move league.
HH and fedupwithhintscsc.
Poulter and Gallagher…doing my line right up
Pf
Ditto…8(
Also have Poulter as top scoring European.
Live score update
ROSE/STENSON 4 up on Watson/Simpson having completed 12
BJORN/KAYMER 1 up on Fowler/Walker having completed 11
GALLACHER/POULTER 5 down on Spieth/Reed having completed 10
GARCIA/McILROY all square with Mickelson/Bradley having completed 8
Greenpinata
Thank eff, a Celtic post amongst the drudgery of the world’s worst sport golf :)
Would love new pastures but I can only imagine the complexity of such a thing – our neighbours don’t seem to want us on the gravy train ; our hosts would be apoplectic at pour rejection of the SPFL ; UEFA / FIFA just seem too conservative in their thinking for regionalising.
I imagine we won’t get a public commentary but I’d like to think it was forefront in our thinking at board level.
BT –
I also have Poulter as top scorer!
And this morning I had a trixie in games 1, 3 and 4 so might still get a double to almost recoup my stake ;-)
Stephen Gallagher struggling a wee bit with nerves methinks.
Pfayr- not hit a shot between them, US rookies fearless.
BT
Bankiebhoy Craig Connelly is the coolest caddy at Gleneagles. Stephen Gallacher off to a slow start with Poulter unfortunateĺy. Thanks for the text re JD rip.
DD
My bro played golf with Craig last year. Said he was walking Hugo Boss advert…8)
Was in my dads yesterday when he spoke to big Yogi. Will let you know time when confirmed.
Golf OR the House of Commons.
Marvellous demonstration of quality debate in the H` o` C`
Oz politicos.Watch and weep.
BT
Haha, wee Craigy Bhoy is some character indeed.
Thanks again, much appreciated.
Think I will attend mass at St. Mary’s Duntocher on Sunday.
Quiet day at work, all the sub contractors off for long weekend. Think I’ll finish early and head off for a pint.
What’s the score on the doors at Glenengland?
MWD said AYE
MWD –
Europe have just put the first point on the board. Butt looking like the morning might finish 2-2.
MWD
1-0 to Europe Rose & Stenson.
Rose Stenson win 5& 4
Gallacher Poulter 6 down
Sergio Rory 1 down
Kaymer Bjorn 2 up
big wavy,
It has been said many, many times on here that we are a massive club hindered by our geographical league. This cannot be argued.
I have absolutely no wish for politics in this post, this is for footballing comparison only.
Barcelona are a massive institution, but how would they fare in a Catalan league with only Espanyol probable competitors and a host of smaller clubs and stadia. Catalonia has a slightly larger population than Scotland.
Would Barcelona be the force they are today playing in that environment, and then think, this is the restraints we have.?
HH.
Tallybhoy
Agree. Stephen Gallacher looks a bag of nerves.
All this Cameron apology to the queen nonsense.
Is anyone buying this tosh?
That whole episode was contrived so that the queen could give the proverbial Vicky.
A total obvious move to say ‘get it round ye’ to the Yes voters.
Now he is down giving it bravado and trying to be all statesman like urging ‘military intervention’ in Iraq and Syria.
Probably wanted to do this earlier, but was inconvenienced by ‘that Jock issue’ which he sorted out in 9 days.
Somedays I canny leave it alane.
southside
07:54 on 26 September, 2014
“If the Ryder cup was being played in ma back garden, ah widney open the curtains.”
is that because if the ryder cup was being played in your back garden, you would be rich enough to employ a team of flunkeys to open the curtains for you?
……..or is it because you don’t like golf?
.
G’Day CQN..
Anyone who is on my FB page..
Jinky’s daughter is trying to find out the Proud owner of a Classic Mod Scooter with pictures of her Dad on the Petrol tank..
Picture of it on my timeline..
Thanks in Advance..
001Bhoy
tictaewin
11:55 on
26 September, 2014
All this Cameron apology to the queen nonsense.
Is anyone buying this tosh?
That whole episode was contrived so that the queen could give the proverbial Vicky.
A total obvious move to say ‘get it round ye’ to the Yes voters.
Now he is down giving it bravado and trying to be all statesman like urging ‘military intervention’ in Iraq and Syria.
Probably wanted to do this earlier, but was inconvenienced by ‘that Jock issue’ which he sorted out in 9 days.
Somedays I canny leave it a lane.
________________________________________________________________________
But maybe you should.
Greenpinata
Good point. I guess they are on the right side of the current equation whereas we aren’t.
How can we influence a decision in our favour ?
My own gut feeling is that a European League becomes a reality soon rather than a domestic get out.
001bhoy
Sent a pm to my mate who has one and knows a few guys in the mod scene.
Summa of Sammi
I know the owner of said Scooter and bizarrely enough i also know Jinky’s daughter from waay back in my punk days.
I don’t do 2facedbook unfortunately.
How can we fix this?
The Yanks have equalised!
1-1.
Booker t
Email me at blantyretim@aol.com and I will pass info to 001
BOOKER T
I have SUMMA’s Mail addy,I think.
Not on my iPhone though due to an overnight mishap!
Regardless,if you mail me at
bmcuwp@gmail.com
I will put you in touch in an hour or so.
Willdo BT
tictaewin,
Did you know that Cameron had bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning? The English breakfast was a clear slight to Scotland.
And when his wife asked if he wanted fish for tea he said no. No! And isn’t that an obvious attack on both Salmond and Sturgeon?
Or mail Blantyre Tim for a speedier response!
GORDON J
Clearly stating his adherence to The Test Act also…
Booker t
Sorry its .co.uk
booker t
12:20 on 26 September, 2014
lol…BT and BMCUWP beat me to the offer of passing your information to Summa…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!