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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Booker in case you don’t reach BT
lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Paul McGinlay did a Ronny D with Gallacher and Poulter pairing. One very quiet and nervous local paired with a brash ego boasting Sassenach. Deservedly thumped. I think Gallacher should have been paired with “no nerves” Kaymer. Hope Paul does better with Dubussion and Donaldson pairings.
Back to fitba
new article posted.
Fleagle 1888
Little Lady Katie in the 1400 at Newmarket tomorrow.
All the best.
We are entering the worst month for punting every year. Ground changes, horses need to get a run. Unraced 2yo and horses that have been kept for a betting coup. Lots of massive handicaps and short priced two year olds = recipe for disaster! Really should have a sabbatical until the jumping starts for real.
However,
I really fancy Maybe Now Baby 2:00 Newmarket but I loathe Newmarket so I’ll go for the real racing,
BALLINCARIGG 2:50 Market Rasen NAP – laid out for this race apparantly.
Best of luck everyone.
EC67
EUROCHAMPS67
Hmmm,all true-but we know better,eh?
I’ll go for
BARTACK 350Newmarket.
15:05 @ Chester – Potent Embrace – NAP!
Good luck everybody.
Good morning lads,
as a minor distraction from the Ryder Cup…
CQN naps on here today please !
Cheers, fleagle1888
Good morning my fellow degenerate gamblers,got off
the mark last week “the bigger the race the bigger the
certainty”……..CORNROW 3:50 Newmarket.
Shasag 17:00 @ Newmarket.
Anthem Alexander @3.10 Newmarket
Morning All
Bancnuannaheirrann 350 New
Think this is a nailed on each way cert fingers crossed it’s skipped clear enough to hold on!
All the best
3.55 at Ripon = AVON BREEZE
Lads,
my nap is Laidback Romeo (Ripon 3.20)
Cheers, fleagle1888
Chester 305 Potent embrace
Good luck everyone.
East coast lady at new market.
NAFAQA…14-35..NMKT
good luck bhoys
Famous kid 6 05pm please.
Gl
Examiner
3.05 Chester
Good luck to all
Morning lads…was going to go for Aramist at Haydock as I used this to attract the ladies
in the 70/80s….sadly I didn’t get much luck…so ,I will go for
‘Le Chat D’or 5.50 HAYDOCK’ as it smelled like cats piss.
ps I know the spelling is different ..up ye pedants.hh
Tectonic
4:50 Musselburgh for me today .
Right own up which one of you is it :))))
http://tyronetribulations.com/2014/09/25/omaghs-shawshank-husband-dug-tunnel-from-bedroom-to-pub-over-15-years/
OOOOOOPS wrong page :)))))))))))))
Fleagle – I’ll go for Quick Wit in the Cambridgeshire.
Cheers
TTTT
Withernsea—–2.30 Chester.
Chester 2.30
Baby strange
Bhoys KINEMATIC in the 4:15 at Chester for me HH
Online Alexander 4.10 Haydock
Don Sigfriedo,Chester 4.15
Lears rock 3.20 ripon
Taking a punt on Forgotten hero in the 3.50 at hq, be lucky… C’mon the hoops
Zero Money 3.35 Haydock for me
Hail Hail
3:50 Newmarket
Balty Boys
BRONZE ANGEL 3:50 Newmarket
CLOWN ALERT ******** leftclicktic
10:57 on 27 September, 2014
Tectonic
4:50 Musselburgh for me today .
Well Tomorrow :(((( sorry Fleagle (and that is withoot drink)
Soooooooooo its English summer 5:20Haydock for me TODAY :(((
Nearly forgot…. Let’s try:
Norse Light in the 5.05 at Ripon (in tribute to our manager, who really needs to get something going)
Potent Embrace 3.05 Chester.
!!Bada Bing!!
12:36 on
27 September, 2014
Online Alexander 4.10 Haydock
Non Runner
Extremity 3.50 Newmarket