I watched Hull batter Leicester City on TV last night without putting the ball in the net. The sheer volume and quality of chances entitled Hull fans to some consolation in the valid football adage, ‘these days happen’. Those absent from Celtic Park on Saturday are likely to assume we similarly battered Ross County, but they would be wrong. County defended throughout but were never under anything close to intense pressure.
This is one of the right times of the season to have a performance like that, they are of little use in the first week in February, when the transfer window is closed. Clues abound as to where we need to strengthen, most pointing to the forward line. John Guidetti’s drop in form over the last month has dropped like a stone, but he’s still comfortably holding onto the striker position. Neither Stokes, Griffiths nor Scepovic are putting pressure on a young off-form player.
There is also the playmaker position, which appears to be on the bench. Kris Commons has been dropped before in his Celtic career, often for important games in Europe, where more industrious, but less talented, players were chosen. I spent most of Saturday’s game waiting on Kris coming on, but if his general level of fitness counts against him for a starting position, his lack of 90 minute outings since his injury earlier in the season means that his late-game cameos look even less industrious.
As I’ve been saying since July, we only have one playmaker and if he’s not playing or off form, we’ll struggle. With a match-fit Commons on from the start yesterday, we would have won comfortably. I’m happy to accept we need a playmaker who’ll cover 15k in 90 minutes, so sign one, but if we’re going to let Commons go, or wither on the bench, sign two, before we end up dependent on one man again.
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Look guys IF Ronny does not make the grade DD can tell PL that he was right all along. Reduce hus bonus and bring in Roy Keane on an acceptable wage.
Careful what you wish for.
Back the man. Bored and Support. Not just with money but with training facilities, players, infrastructure
HH
Munchie time for me. Mmmmmmmmm Laters, stay friendly now. Lol.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
turkeybhoy
Good man ye are.
the glorious balance sheet
18:39 on
29 December, 2014
On a complete tangent…..
Possible Ebola case being reported in Glasgow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30628349.
——————————-
Cameron beaten to the punch with the press statement – he won’t be happy. Sure he’ll be out with something shortly.
Prayers for the wee worker who is infected, and all of our NHS people who are looking after her, and all the poor people in West Africa who are blighted by this.
HH
BGFC
Sky sources: one case of #Ebola virus has been confirmed in #Glasgow
Evening guys,
HT,
I am with turkeybhoy here, I have been on this site for the guts of 4 years now and to me there is an element on here that do come on here and slaughter the club for this and that, there is a massive difference in them and guy’s like your good self that will criticise constructively, since when did we have the divine right to win every game?or indeed play expansive football every time.
Any time we play poorly you can set your watch on the same ones coming on here and having a go, play well and win? They’re no were to be seen.just my take as I see it mind.
Had a wee listen into ssb tonight….needed a laugh …… If CELTIC were ahead by 10+ points at this stage, keechins would be insisting it was a non-competitive league ……with it being competitive, he doesn’t compliment the other teams, just criticises our manager …that’s a very straightforward job he has, bless him !!!!
the glorious balance sheet
Parkheadcumsalford @ 16.41 was interested in knowing how teams do in their next match after playing us.
I can see teams raising their game against us as well and then perhaps not applying themselves quite so enthusiastically against others and i was a bit surprised to see that teams have done better rather than worse.
The fact that Dundee Utd have so many competitive local rivalries is something i have not really thought about.
I guess Aberdeen are in a similar position with Inverness and Ross County.
Armageddon has blighted the north east!
notthebus
18:31 on
29 December, 2014
BFDJ is comedy gold.
totally ill-informed, in denial and desperate a lethal combo
———————————————-
Certainly is lethal – it’s already killed the original incarnation of huns. Looks like the same might be about to happen to Mk.2. “Rangers” Mk.3 coming up…
H.T.
Paddy is going to text you. He is loving it that you are a troll. Lol.
Loads of good posts today. Can’t understand why people become abusive when others don’t agree though. It’s a blog!!!!
I think McGinn would do a job for us alongside Brown. We also need an out and out winger.
Did anyone see andy boredom on SSN ……. Comedy Gold ….hahahaha
I think people come on the blog and vent for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they just want to be proven right. I’m not sure everyone who comes on is a Celtic fan.
“Man or Muppet” just came on telly…
sipsini 18:49
jonnyrambo67,
Are you Peter Lawell?
———
Eh no. I think the questions are valid. Let me simplify them.
1. If you want RD sacked, who do you want to replace him and how much time do they get?
2. If you want PL sacked, who do want to replace him and what do you expect them to do with the same mandate from the board?
3. If you want DD out, who is going to replace him and how are they going to fund the club in a different strategy from live within our means?
Johnyrambo
perfectly reasonable questions in my opinion.
From oor Phil ….!!!!
Old familiar faces
Leave a reply
In all long running TV dramas it is always a good idea to reintroduce an old character now and again.
It gives the audience a flashback to earlier times and it also invigorates a storyline that has become jaded.
Of course for the writers it saves them for having to create a new backstory.
The Ibrox soap opera is no different in this regard.
I was interested to learn today that the Three Bears, which is a new story line in itself, has an old familiar face on board.
Their PR apropos this power play for the Marble Staircase is being handled by none other than Mr James Traynor.
The ex-Sevco communications director, of course, left the employ of Charles of Normandy in November 2013 after eleven months at Ibrox.
Perhaps Mr Douglas Park feels that Traynor is best placed to advise him on how to communicate with this entity.
I was pleased to learn that Professor Peter Watson, late of Levy & McRae, has now been retained by Sevco.
Of course when this eminent legal chap was with his old firm his name would crop up again and again throughout the last days of Rangers in 2011 and 2012.
My compliments to the writers as I think this series could do with a dash of James Traynor and a wee bit of Perry Mason.
I know it’s just me, but I wish to feck Phil would stop talking in riddles and let me know what the feck he’s on about, lol.
I’ll be very sorry to see KC go and would worry that teams will follow the park the bus approach which can be successful against us. If Guidetti doesn’t find his form again, Stokes, Scep, Tonev, Johansen won’t provide anything special even if they are decent players. With no replacement for Hooper there’s nobody on the box and if KC goes there’ll be not much 20 yards out to get goals.
Hamiltontim is a troll?!
Ah buckin knew it! Too good to be true.
:-)
Jonnyrambo67
Simple and well thought through.
Great post.
jackie mac
19:31 on 29 December, 2014
RD still seems confident of getting Martin Odegaard and JC is apparently recommending Ryan Christie. Perhaps they are looking at a younger replacement for KC. And maybe they fancy at least one of our wingers, and preferably Forrest, to stay fit for more than 5 minutes.
masty is neil lennon and both of us are supporting wee oscar
Thankfully I there are only maybe one or two like that mate.
JNP
Don’t you be telling Paddy about that I’ll never live it down :-)
Anyone seen this lad play?
If so what do you think?
Celtic scouts were in attendance for Tranmere Rovers’ match against Northampton Town yesterday taking a look at Max Power, according to the Daily Mail.
The central midfielder’s performances this season have impressed the Scottish champions so much that they are contemplating a January move.
Power’s contract at Prenton Park expires in the summer and it is thought that he could be available at a cut price in the new year because his current club don’t want to risk losing him on a free transfer.
The 21-year-old has scored nine goals in 30 appearances for Tranmere this season and he is considered to be ready to make a step up to a higher level.
A move to Celtic would certainly represent this and the scouts would likely have reported back positively from Tranmere’s weekend match.
Rovers beat Northampton 2-1, with Power playing a vital a key role in their success. Dynamic and determined, the midfielder was at the heart of everything good Micky Adams’s side did and he will have been pleased with his personal contribution.
Celtic are said to be on the look-out for a young attacking midfielder with Kris Commons seemingly heading towards the exit door, and Power could be the man to fill that void for the Scottish side.
Would Max Power be a good buy for Celtic?
Gary67
good news. looking forward to the title chase now – and hopefully RD getting his type of player
sipsini
18:56 on
29 December, 2014
favourite uncle,
I’ll go for the tripple.
Burt lancaster/ Tony Curtess..cfc
ok what was the burds name????and the chien???
Players come,players go that’s the way of the world.The King is dead long live The King.
HH
Good evening bhoys and ghirls. Thank you to all for thoughts and prayers the other day for my father in law. Sadly Dougie passed away this morning in the western infirmary after being unconscious since boxing day. Once again thank you all.
Zico-Maltese bhoy my heartfelt condolences to you and your wife and family. Stay strong my friend YNWA.
HH
KTF
UTLR
Max Power is type of player who fits our buying criteria he is young has done well at his current club and is ready to move up he is an all action type of midfielder.His contract is up in the summer and if we sign him we could get a couple of good seasons from him and move him on for a good profit. H.H.
MT,
sorry for your loss mo chara.
MightyTim
My sincere condolences John. Please pass our regards on to the missus.
May perpetual light shine upon Dougie.
Just had a wee swatch at the boy power, he certainly looks a player.
mighty tim s.w.o. May Dougie rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him. H.H.
mighty tim
Sorry to read your news. May he rest in peace.
Getting a bit fed up with fholks on here (to include Kojo) running KC down; he lacks pace yada yada. He was our top scorer last season and was our most creative midfielder. They want to get rid of him. Do they not all remember when Lubo came to us? Older than Kris is now, lacking in pace…..BUT…. was a fitba player. He became one of our legends. These moaners need to think about that, where Kris is concerned, before trashing him on this blog. He still has much to offer under whatever system RD wants to use.
KC is a fitba player and we don’t have many.
HH
Gerry
Back to lurkin’CSC
“When I came to watch Celtic play Barcelona at home last season, it was unbelievable. Think what it would be like if Celtic could also control the game?”
Ronny Deila, July 2014, Celtic, The Universe.
GerryBhoy
If you don’t mind me asking, do you stay in Germany ?
mighty Tim
thoughts and prayers for your loss
Gerry
with all due respect mo chara, kris commons couldn’t lace lubos boots, as far as I can see he has been offered a year’s extension, but he wants 2
BCW
pmsl…