Credit to Newco and Steven Gerrard. They controlled much of yesterday’s game at Celtic Park, took their chances, which on this occasion did not all fall to the wasteful Morelos, and deserved their win. For Celtic, the nature of the defeat asks many questions.
The visitors dominated the opening 30 minutes, which were a carbon copy of the League Cup Final between these sides earlier this month. Celtic played the ball forward early throughout this period but it never stuck. The front four: James Forrest, Ryan Christie, Mikey Johnston and Odsonne Edouard were practically spectators.
Kristoffer Ajer disrupted this pattern when he carried the ball through midfield for the first time in the game. This inhibited Newco, and, for a few minutes, Celtic held possession in the final third. In quick succession following this, Celtic won a corner, a subsequent penalty when Christopher Jullien was fouled inside the box and Ryan Christie saw his spot kick saved. Before Newco could count their blessings, they took the lead when Ryan Kent was given space to shoot from 14 yards. The opening goal came during Celtic’s best period of the match thus far, but it was deserved.
Scott Brown, who despite the result was imperious throughout, and Callum McGregor began to impose themselves after going behind. A shot from the latter deflected off Odsonne Edouard, wrong-footed Allan McGregor and drew Celtic level.
The second half did not provide any comfort for the 59,000 Celtic fans. Newco continued to dominate the game before scoring from a free header at a corner kick. Celtic could not hold the ball for 10 seconds.
Neil Lennon reacted on 68 minutes by hooking both Forrest and Johnston for Ntcham and Bitton, and going three at the back. Celtic finally matched Newco in midfield and were able to dominate possession. They created good chances in the closing minutes but it was too little, too late.
Steve Gerrard won the tactical battle, as he did at Hampden, where Celtic took the trophy but not the lessons.
We’ll have a State of the Club piece up tomorrow.
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The non signing of McGinn reflected the penny pinching attitude of the board. How can anyone argue that this was not the case? So many people on here want to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to the pathetic custodians of our club.
The Scotsman will obviously side with Celtic.
Oh aye ?
Let`s just see if they do .
” All Blacks have taken haka too far with throat-cutting gesture, rugby officials say ”
Published: 00:49
Friday 09 June 2006
My quick “State of the Club” 2019 – we are being ran by blowhards.
MWD pops oot as quick as he pops in.
Well after googling Latin or south American throat gestures the only common thread is ‘your tea is oot’
Huns assuming every one is as thick as their support😱
I wonder if Turnbull will be bought in this window, but we need experience now in midfield, not convinced Wanyama is the answer either. Armstrong, Dembele, Benkovic, Boyata, Tierney, Lustig, and then Sinclair & Rogic, easy to see, when you look at that list, what’s been brought in is nowhere near the quality of those they were bought to replace por cierto.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 4:36 PM
John Mc Ginn would have made all the difference.
Like he did with Hibs ?
Delusional.
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Its called opinion,in my view we need support for SB,that was also the view of BR, to secure a player of that type.
For PL to fail to do that,in order to get one over on the Hibs Mgmt. is unprofessional,and hurts both the team and supporters as a basis for succession planning.
Just another wee PL bashing exercise .
Just another wee PL bashing exercise .
==================================
Sorry that was left in error,which was the topic I refuted.
Paul67
Hungrier Huns?
Did we miss the ‘escapegoat bingo’ cynics input after winning the Europa Group, the Lazio double, the win in Poundland, or the League Cup in a cabinet at Celtic Park?
Noticed on Saturday you were tipping Mikey Johnston to start, not sure it was ‘in the know’ wishingful thinking, or inspired guessing, but his inclusion having not started a game, any game, since September, meaning a dropped Ntcham after four straight starts was the days biggest faux pas.
The dreadful dilemna of back three, or back four including two ‘non full backs’ nailed Neil Lennon’s colours to the mast, scraping past everything December conjured up, until Sevco whom you outlined were a tough cookie, and even had real Euro credentials.
Sure a different bounce of the ball ( or converted penalty ) and NFL’s far too open attacking side might have faired very differently at time up, in a game where incidentally stats don’t back your analysis of Sevco’s so called ’superiority.’
Frimpong was thrown to the bears, and compare his defensive prowess to El Hamed and its game over, not just at set pieces but anywhere in his zone. Picking between Taylor, Boli or Hayes gives not a crumb of defensive comfort to us either and surely keeps NFL awake at night.
Jullien and Ajer are pummelled even against St Mirren and the Celtic midfield is more invisible than a Callum MacGregor, who played well as did Brown. At least the added insurance of Olivier Ntcham would have propped up the midfield badly exposed every time the we’ve met the new club.
No luck Neil, but trying to bypass having a midfield, is a mugs game especially against ‘Clubs’ that have been coming so long they’re no just hungry, they’re pure *******g starving.
Hail Hail
Bsr
Vg post👏👏👏👏👏
EXCATHEDRA44 on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 4:53 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 4:36 PM
John Mc Ginn would have made all the difference.
Like he did with Hibs ?
Delusional.
=========================================
Its called opinion,in my view we need support for SB,that was also the view of BR, to secure a player of that type.
===========================================================
You may well be right , however ……………..
For the ” n th ” time of questioning assertions of this nature without response , how do you know that was ” also the view of B.R.” ( Ugh ) ?
At last someone else who agrees that jullien and Ayer are definitely not a good central pairing, just like the sweets I’ve just ate with a very soft centres
Sevco now saying on Sky that Morelos was racially abused by Celtic fsns and seek action. Another deflecting tactic from their own turgid behaviour. No mention of their lot booing during the minutes applause or the gestures of Kent and the poor victim , Morelos. Still angry about the lack of fight yesterday !
Huns complaining about racial abuse,oh my fkn aching sides, the Klub with no shame
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 4:55 PM
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No doubt the player pool is weaker than previous,but as I said earlier I think NL played a team which might have worked?
Who knows if Christie scores,then we may have pressed home the advantage,as it was it depleted him as a meaningful contributor,this was critical as I envisaged him running the show.
Elhamed could be a meaningful return,others less so.
Its a worry.
Why is Ajer continually played on the left hand side of defence , when he wont and can’t use his left foot. Very strange if you ask me.
Deflection smearing coverup take your pick or add your own adjective, Traynor trying to make sure the focus shifts from Morelos onto whoever is handy, in this case the Celtic support, he was sent off fact, he made gestures of slashing his neck, fact he should be questioned by the Police and charged .
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON @ 16:36
I’m not a PL hater, quite the contrary, however John would be the missing piece in our mid-field, working with Scott against the Gerrard midfield. His energy and ball-winning would be a Godsend at the moment. Brown at the base of the diamond, McGinn on the right, Calmac on the left and a choice of Christie, Ntcham or Rogic at the top behind Elyounoussi & Eddy. Ayer, Jullien Elhatem & Frimpong at the back.
Let’s see what January brings – we are starting to slip – we must stop.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 5:03 PM
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Lets say I understand, that Peter Lawell was acting on a list of targets provided by Lee Congerton the content of which was approved by BR.
In my view a costly miss,but we can agree to differ.
Lot of issues for Celtic to resolve over the next few weeks.
Having watched the Sevco-tastic coverage on Radio Clyde Twitter over the last few days, one of those issues is having that arse McCulloch earning a wage at Celtic Park.
The hypocrisy with how he uses his self and his children to promote Celtic compared to how he used to promote the ‘Old Firm’ whilst at Clyde is nauseating.
Part of the problem. Not part of the solution.
Its difficult to argue that Celtic and Celtic supporters should ignore anti Celtic bile in the media when they actively encourage and pay people like McCulloch.
Playing the Get Out of Jail Free card,with this pish
Dessybhoy- this has fat Traynor’s mucky mitts all over it,total deflection tactics in case that prk gets an increased ban.
EXCATHEDRA44
Your wee pal had a mare.
St Tams
Marvin Compper the lost lefty
Bada bing
And or a lie down
Just back from Snow White, a much better Pantomime than the one I seen at CP yesterday, I think Gary Tank Commander would shoot earlier than some of our guys.
We have put up with this stuff for years Scott Sinclair at Ibrox guy caught on film doing monkeys gestures, Scott Brown attacked on the park at Ibrox and various stuff thrown at our players golf balls batteries drinks containers, our club says nothing, this is where it gets you, we are in the spotlight and they look like the offended, well done all concerned.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 5:22 PM
EXCATHEDRA44
Your wee pal had a mare.
===========================================
Indeed he did,it should have been anticipated,after the Final,cant understand it but he does well for periods,which I recognise,then he reverts into his ” Young James” personna, ( He is 2 years older than Neymar )
Its got to be analysed, but there are games, and Parks, where he is a no show.
Need dependability.
Ugh, we’re not still going on about McGinn.
In ither news………………
A whole other Level of guff…………….
Fat Charlie is just another hun rocket with expensive tastes in gear and message management.
Nothin’ from Hampden? Naw??????
HHH.
I’m sure the Club will respond re the lies,and inflammatory gestures……..they will……won’t they?
!!BADA BING!! on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 5:54 PM
I’m sure the Club will respond re the lies,and inflammatory gestures……..they will……won’t they?
—
We have. Called their bluff on evidence.
“We are aware of the gestures made by the player towards Celtic supporters. We have received no reports of any racial abuse but would fully investigate any should these be brought to our attention.”
Bada
Already have along the lines ofprove it and we’ll look at it
Paul 67
Credit to newco and Gerrard?
Almost agree with you, but where we differ is in your choice of the first two words in your header.
I only use one – It begins with F and ends in K.
HH
Prestonpans bhoys
Where have Celtic responded nothing on the club website.
forrest , christie and McGregor will come back after the break fresh and strong. Defensive right back will be available and hopefully stay fit. left mid/wing will be stronger and we will have strikers fully fit. We have been unfortunate with injuries to key players and this has stressed the squad.
In the window , we should sign another center back – benkovic and/or Bruno. We need a solid midfield player if Lennon doesn’t trust Ntcham (I thought he was wrong to leave him out as he has been showing signs of form lately).
I’d like us to go to a 3-5-2 – never understood why Celtic don’t play with 2 strikers.
finally , I’m very concerned about the language coming from Celtic park – “we need to learn to play against them” WHAT?? we.are.the.champions. they need to learn to play against us – we need to be imposing our authority on them – this is where the manager got it wrong.
get to work Celtic board – beat them this season and they will take years to recover.
Macjay
You posted;
Interesting points you make , and then …………..
With all your and your family`s wide experience with playing , running and coaching football teams , you seriously feel that :
” The ball is back in your court Peter, your poor choices and management on the playing side has created this need. ”
Who did Peter choose , apart perhaps from playing a part in the choosing of Lennie ?
What part did Peter play in the ” management on the playing side “.
Macjay Peter Lawell plays a huge part in the management on the playing side, not a player signed a contract agreed, a bid made that doesn’t go through Peter Lawell, he runs the whole show and it is precisely with the family’s experience in football i can post that with a 100% conviction and not sit in Australia and repost but how do you know, how do you know.
Well I’ll tell you how I know , the current club my dad coaches at has had 3 ex Celtic players as managers in the last 5 yrs, those managers are constantly in contact with Celtic because they loan players every season. That means i hear loads of information coming directly from the club.
Here is another example of Peter Lawells direct involvement in the playing side.
When Strachan was manager he signed a player in January on a pre contract. When it hit the press that player was signing for Celtic he was given the most disgraceful abuse by his own fans during a game I’ve ever heard. I was at the game, had to pick him up at front door so he wouldn’t be subjected to a further torrent of abuse and sped away to avoid the baying mob.
Strachan had told the player when signing he would work on Peter Lawell to get him to Celtic in January. Hibs wanted 50K, Strachan wanted him, Lawell refused. the player had 4 more months of abuse from his fans.
So the saving of 50K produced, a manager not getting a player he wanted.
A player being subjected to abuse for 4 months.
A player now joining a club feeling aggrieved at his treatment.
A player now questioning whether the managers word means anything.
This is the measure of the man your blindly backing, although I’m not surprised if you and Peter are not remotely interested in a human beings welfare. HH
WGS talks sense sometimes and today is one of those times – the acquisition of a target man is something we will benefit from, someone calpable of controlling on the chest and holding off defenders.
That Sutton/Hartson/JVH type player will change the nature of our games with them – Eddy isn’t really that type of old fashioned striker.
I don’t know what the guy from Slovenia is like but I do know Cosgrove, he scores and causes them problems most games. We’ve plenty of squad fillers to send off to Pittodrie to make this deal happen. It’s a question worth asking.
No statement on gestures from Kent and Moreloss….
The Traynor inspired press release(s) tonight are purely a deflection tactic, as other bloggers have noted. People in glass houses etc .
Reminds me of the day Alphonse Capone chastised me for stealing a chocolate bar. “That’s no nice” ……..said the bold Al…….”you need to adhere to higher standards and principles”. Moral of the story = I’ll be taking no lectures in sectarianism, racism, morality or general standards of life from Traynor or any of his cohorts.
I also assume that Jim White has some editorial input at Sky Sports in view of the Morelos/racism stuff being the top story tonight, albeit supporting facts are non-existent. Think Jimbo/Sky must have forgotten all about the despicable throat-cutting gesture.