Covering Emilio, Ledley returns

Delighted Joe Ledley got on the score sheet twice yesterday.  As well as missing the influence of Wanyama, and Scott Brown on Champions League duty, Joe’s absence through injury has been felt.  He has been back a few weeks now but Neil Lennon has used him sparingly, putting a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Beram Kayal and Charlie Mulgrew.  For me, Joe’s composure and running deserves place in the team.

Ross County have dropped like a stone recently, even when you consider their abandoned matches, but they successfully pressed high up the field for long periods of the game.  When Celtic do this in Europe we are always concerned about opposing teams passing through us with speed.  It was a bit concerning that we could not do the same to County.

The most pleasing aspect of the game was the performance of Emilio Izaguirre.  Neil Lennon went on record in the summer to say he needed cover for left back, which is still the case, but at the time ‘cover’ was interpreted in places for an admission that Emilio’s form was not what it once was.

We are incredibly strong at right back, with internationals Adam Matthews and Mikel Lustig vying for the position, while Nigeria’s right back, Efe Ambrose, occupies a different position at Celtic, but Emilio has no obvious left-footed cover.

Following the loss of St John Doyle, George Ryan, Lennybhoy sent £1534.30 on your behalf to the Mini St John Doyle Fund, now officially launched as Sean’s Trust.  George’s wife, Linda, responded with this message:

“George’s fantastic friends at Celtic Quick News have this evening donated £1,534.30 into the account for our charity Sean’s Trust. This money has been raised since George’s death on 5 October. Also they paid for 4 seats at Celtic Park for the family to attend the Ajax game, and sent beautiful floral tributes.

“Most of the supporters on CQN had never met George in person. Paul Brennan from CQN visited me after George’s death and he said ‘It takes a lifetime to make a Celtic Man like George’ What a beautiful tribute. We are grateful for the immense effort you have all made in memory of George. We will never forget you x.”

There are never any real compensations on occasions of such loss, but your efforts connected with, and supported, a family, at a time when that was as much as anyone could do for them.

Thank you to everyone who participated, especially Lennybhoy, for picking up the ball.
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