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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EVERYONE knows that Celtic is a club like no other, but we all have our own individual reasons for believing that.
Whether it be the triumph in Lisbon in 1967, the victory over Barcelona in 2012 or nine-in-a-row, we each have a personal reason for supporting the club and throughout this season the team at Celtic View have made it our mission to ask you, the fans, just what that is.
This week we speak to a Celtic supporter who has been embraced by the Celtic family because of his un-paralleled love for the team – a young Bhoy affectionately known as Wee Jay – Jay Beattie from Ireland.
Jay jumped into the hearts and minds of the Celtic support when he was plucked from the crowd by his hero Georgios Samaras during the end-of-season celebrations at Celtic Park this year.
Here, he tells us just why Celtic means so much to him…
When/How and why did you start supporting Celtic?
From the moment I was born I was going to be a Celtic supporter as all my family supported them and my Nanny Eileen would sing me Celtic songs. My Daddy’s family are all Celtic supporters and I have loads of aunties and uncles and cousins and they all love Celtic. My Grandda Hayden would tell me stories all about Celtic when he was feeding me – and the town where I live, Lurgan, is Celtic-daft, so I was born one lucky Bhoy.
What is your earliest Celtic memory?
I am only 10-years-old but I have seen Celtic lift so many cups and play in so many games on TV and it just makes me proud and happy. I love singing but my speech wasn’t so good so my Daddy bought me a Celtic songs CD. I listened to it every day and I now know every word of every song and my speech is now really good and everyone is amazed, though my Mummy doesn’t look too happy after having to listen to The Celtic Song in the car 20 times a day.
What was your first match and what do you remember about it?
My first Celtic match was against Rangers but I was only a little baby and can’t remember much about it except that we won, which was brilliant. The game that I remember the most is the Scottish Cup final against Hibs when we scored three goals. As a present for making my First Holy Communion my Auntie and Uncle got my Daddy and I tickets to go for lunch to Celtic Park and then over to Hampden, and we were in the front row for the game. It was so exciting and when the goals went in the crowd went crazy. I was just so happy that we won and to see the team coming with the big cup around the pitch was amazing. Some day that will be me lifting that cup.
Who is your Celtic hero and why?
My Celtic hero will always be Samaras. I just love him. I love Santa and his beard and when I first saw Sammi with his beard I knew he was going to be a great player. I loved watching Sammi play and score and when he scored he did his wee heart sign and as I got my heart fixed when I was a baby I thought it was so nice. I got to meet Sammi and train with him and he was always so kind to me and then at the last game of the season he saw me in the crowd and picked me out and brought me on a lap of honour and told Sky Sports in an interview that I was his pal. That was the best day of my life and I will never forget him for making me feel so special that day.
Are there any players from the past you wish you had seen play live and why?
I have every Celtic DVD that there is and I watch them all day, every day and there are so many great players but the player I love watching the most from the olden days is Henrik Larsson. He was amazing and scored so many goals for us and some crackers like the chip over the Rangers goalie’s head at Celtic Park. I would love to have seen him play as he just kept scoring all the time and that is when I am at my happiest when the ball hits the back of the net.
What is your favourite Celtic moment?
Every morning I wake up is my favourite Celtic moment as I get to watch all my DVDs and read my books on Celtic. I just love them but moments that really made me happy were:
1 – When Sammi scored the first goal against Rangers at Ibrox and jumped into the crowd. I watch that every day and just know that if I had scored I would have run out of the ground and all the way home to Ireland to my Mummy I would have been that excited. I just love the crowd going crazy and hugging Sammi. That made me really happy.
2 – When Tony Watt scored against Barcelona it was so exciting even my teachers told my Mummy that I could have a lie-in the next day as I couldn’t sleep that night I was so excited. What a goal.
3 – The last game of the season when Neil Lennon gave me his medal and Sammi picked me out of the crowd. I dream about it every night and can’t believe what happened to me that day. Not too many people have their dreams come true like that.
Why is Celtic a club like no other for you?
I have Down’s Syndrome and not so long ago people with that were not treated so nicely and my Mummy and Daddy made a promise when I was born that they would try and make a difference and ensure that I was treated the same as everyone else. Thanks to Celtic and all the fans around the world you have changed my life, you are all the best people in the world and have treated me so kindly and helped me live my dream and I love you all. Sometimes my Mummy has a wee cry when she reads all the messages sent to me on Facebook or Twitter and when I ask her why she says, ‘A special club for a special Bhoy.’ My world is Celtic. From the moment I get up until I fall asleep it is all I think about and talk about. It just makes me happy. What more does a Bhoy need? Thank you Celtic and all the fans and if you are reading this please be very proud as you are part of a club like no other.
leftclicktic, Yes indeed that reply was pure brilliant that wee kid said more in those few words than the whole lot of us here say in a week with all our guff.
the reason why all these people think it was stokes with the dodgy pass back is because thats what the tv commentary said even though it was obvious it was izzy
so,
that means some of our number had the telly on but werent watching the pictures
what were you all doing instead
dont tell me you were trying to converse with the wife and kid on you were remotely interested in what she was saying
come on men, grow a pair of bawz and tell her next time you are unavailable until the game finishes
and if she dont like it, she knows where the door is
easy
It’s easy to confuse Stokes and Izzy these days as both have a full head of hair.
What happened to that Mike in Toronto ghuy who used to post on here.
I used to enjoy his well written, wise, medium length expositions written with sound judgement and good humour…..
Hope he posts again soon.
And has his pants oan!
:-)
HH jamesgang
Foghorn Leghorn, easier said than done on your 26th wedding anniversary!
corkcelt
Tear jerker!
What a lovely wee bhoy.
May god bless and look after him and his beautiful family.
Thanks for posting.
(I’ve stopped crying now)
mmmmmmeoww……seems it wasn,t just alt Frau Queenie who was purring like a cat ….
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/29362179
braw
http://www.channel4.com/news/gaza-migration-middle-east-italy-sicily-europe-video
More wars in the middle East ?
doc
you should have laid down the law ages ago
maybe about 28 years ago
you could have spun her a line like if she lets you watch the games when your married then you will fight to get women the vote, or something like that
its never too late to rewrite the rules :-)
philvisreturns 15:49 on 25 September, 2014
“Peter Grant was the best player in Coatbridge.”
He’s from Chapelhall. Went to school in Coatbridge right enough.
Philbhoy, Must say it got me big time too, almost impossible to read without shedding a tear but no doubt one or two of our hard men on here will manage it.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Charles-Rennie-Mackintosh.jpg
Just checked this . Actually CRM is a bit of a Souness doppelganger. I wonder if by any chance they are related?
Tin hat on…
Thought Stefan Johansen came onto a pretty good game in the second half last night. He was pinging good balls to the wings as well as doing the fetch and carry stuff.
Like other posters I haven’t recognised the player we saw last season but I don’t think people fairly judged his 2nd half display.
Im trying to work out why he has been less effective. Is it because he’s further back as a holding player rather than a positive link to the forwards? We saw a player last season…I’d like him back please.
HH
Foghorn Leghorn, back then I didn’t have to ask her to watch games, we went together.
That’s how we met.
Last night I had to make dinner, so was watching and cooking missed the misplaced pass, but heard the commentary.
srs
I have heard of them…. one of the girls is from the Rankin family …. a big east coast celtic musical family act … one of my pals used to date one of the sisters..
Alvvays … remind me of the Primitives, Transmission Vamp …. that sort of era stuff…. as you say, good pop … I hadn’t thought to mention them to my neice, but I think she would really like them.
I saw young Mr. Nutini last week … he was looking well (well more like he was sounding well …) …. then was supposed to go to NY on the weekend to see Justin Currie (Del Amitri) but brother bailed so had to give that a miss … …
doc
i know a man who can fit a cooker in your living room
problem solved
though to be fair its actually just a camping stove and an auld frying pan, so its baked beans all round when the games on…
That would have made a better dinner than I did last night, running back and forward!
BurningherteaCSC
Mike in Toronto
Saw Justin Currie supporting the excellent Withered Hand in Glasgow last month. JC was okay but WH stole the show.
Taking my kids (who are massive fans) to see wee Paolo Nutini next month.
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan. The Vow – Critically Rebuked by 45% of this fine nation.
15:23 on
25 September, 2014
The Celtic Way
Wee raw nerve there diddums. Truth hurts eh! Especially when you have been FOOLED! But dinny worry. We understand.
MWD said AYE
———————————————————————
Nae raw nerve at all, mate, I just wish you would let it go, all your ranting won`t get you anywhere. Ok, everyone who voted NO is a fool, will that do? Will that make you feel better? This is a Celtic (sort of) football blog. I know some topics outwith fitba have been battered to death on here, but the politics has been a nightmare past few months. The referendum is over. You said AYE (159,772 times) but the electorate said NAW. So, by my reckoning, its over. What is your take on charging for carrier bags starting in October? Yes? No?
Debate.
And never call me diddums again, My dear great great granny used to call me that, and look what happened to her.
Oh, and I`m not hurting either.
MWD
The very chap. Mind you , I believe they would have given a different spelling of The Great Dictator 0:-)
JJ
Doc – isn’t 8pm a bit late to be making dinner?
Really enjoyed the game last night and if both teams had taken all of their chances we would have won 9-2, is that the shape of football under our new manager? And if that’s how we plan to play from now on can your old tickers take the excitement?
Fantastic ovation for super Tim Stephen Gallagher at Ryder Cup opening ceremony,good luck son.
Years ago, I believe most Celtic fans would have preferred a 5-4 victory over a 1-0 result. Now, I suspect many would prefer the latter. Anyway, Ronny did say that 5-0 would be best of all. On that, I would imagine there is agreement!
JJ
justafan
Thot Johan was very poor last night. He was trying the long pass across the back to often for my liking. That kinda pass always gives me the jitters at the best of times.
Ps When did Stokes last score a goal??
Gallacher partners Poulter in opening fourballs
johhny clash
I dont know withered hand, but, since you clearly have such excellent taste in music, I will have to give them a listen!
cheers.
The Celtic Way
Bit of a rant for nae wee raw nerve there… Ouchhhaaa
MWD said AYE
Partnerships.
Lets get more of em……
Denayer and VanDyke work
Izzeguire and Stokes worked last night but whether they were up against poorer opponents than they can face and may find it harder in other games and not look as good together, remains to be seen…..worth trying again though…..although i would like to see Wakaso getting a few games with Izzy to see how they do together.
Now…..as for the other areas!
Can we get a good partnership on the right?
Ambrose and McGregor are not working together……i think most of us may be longing to see Lustig and Forrest together instead.
2 more patnerships required?
Brown and ? in the middle of the park.
Who can join him in there and combine well?
Strikers?
Guidette and Scepovic?
Guidette and Commons?
Commons and Sepovic?
Get those partnerships sorted out…..right now we are only 2/5ths of the way there, but with Brown and probably Guidette being 50% of 2 of those partnerships and Lustig and Forrest perhaps being all of another…….does that just leave RD with 2 positions to sort out for what could be his best team?
Wee Jay’s words had me sitting on a train with tears in my eyes.
HH jamesgang
jude,
Anto scored in the 6-1 against Dundee Utd, also scored in the 3 nil win against St. Johnstone.
That is to your credit jamesgang, wouldn’t like to be the guy who read it without shedding a tear.
Thunder Road
Who was Scott Brown’s last good partner? I would have Scott on the right and someone who can pass the ball in the middle..
Last night was another good result from a performance that raised more questions about RD’s system
The two centre mids are being hugely overworked and the four forwards are not working hard enough to help them
The idea of the two wide players playing on the “wrong” side has been done to death and teams know how to counter it
It just adds to the congestion in the final third and slow up our attacks which goes against RD stated desire for pace!
We are not Barca and never will be – even Barca can struggle with the idea of trying to pass their way through the centre of teams and they have the best in the world in midfield and Messi up front!
We do now have two guys who look as if they like to play in the box – so let’s build a system that plays to their strengths!
Get guys going down the wings and putting in crosses -that’s how we scored two of the goals last night.
HH
Phyllis, normally that is a bit late, but it was a romantic dinner for two.
The kids had to be sorted first.
good win last night