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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MCNUT
Well put, The synchronised movement of the Rangers players off the ball was incredibly disciplined and clearly does not appear by itself. The work and specific methods of Klop at LFC are playing a huge factor in potentially stopping 10IAR. That said they won the game with a set play, and yes I do still believe that in terms of on-the-ball talent we are still ahead, but they are close enough now to win when their off-the-ball pressing is as good and as dedicate as what they showed on Sunday. I simply did not see the same coordinated team pack work from us off-the-ball so that might need to be something we look at.
Sean Thornton
I was not at the game so thanks for adding a bit of personal witness to this debate.
The first reaction we should all have to the allegation of Morelos being racially abused should be “What evidence is there for this allegation?”. Our second reaction should be to investigate and punish anyone proven to have done so. Only once those 2 steps are taken, can we convince ourselves that it was a false, baseless allegation and make sure that the truth gets out there.
Now, you did not hear anything and you were in the vicinity. That is heartening but it falls short of being conclusive proof. There is allegedly a video doing the rounds of Sevco sites wherein racial abuse is being directed towards Morelos as he goes off. Now, that may have been edited into the film, that is possible, but, until there is a complete investigation of the evidence, can we be sure that there were no instances of the use of the adjective “black” from our support?
This is not an area where I’d want the club to mess about with at all. Even if it was just one sole voice, I’d want that person rooted out of CP.
BUt, if there is no evidence and a video has been doctored to present these allegations, then, and only then, should we be turning our fire elsewhere.
AN DUN
the £7mil was strucured in multiple installments over a long period to give the Huns a very favourable deal. I think they will only pay something like 2-3mil up front, so Id say that was a helluva good deal for an effective player like Kent who has proven his worth by scoring in their Euro EL games and now against us again. My point was not a debate about Kent being worth £7mil because I think he is worth at least 10mil. My point was that Gerrard is being assisted by LFC both financially to help him personally in his fledging manegerial career as will his wide contacts in the EPL. We must respond calmly with 2 or 3 good experiences signings.
Hello again all you young rebels.
Still disappointed and angry about the hun game, that won’t dissipate
for a wee while yet.
But we can’t hide the fact we got our erses booted.
Spirits took a wee jump this morn. when the weemhan called into see
what Celtic tops we were all wearing tonight at the fireworks as he
was going to his mhates to assess their choice of tops.
It’s the new year ritual of count the hoops in the city, wonder if there
will be a plethora of hun tops about, taken out of their dusty wooden
sheds and shaken to get the moths off?
We’ll see, but they’ll still encounter happy celebrating hoopies and never
seethin angry cheats.
A happy New Year to all when it comes.
Still a Celt and always a Celt
H.H . Mick
I think our model makes sense and has delivered 14 league titles this century to date.
That said we’ve over £30 million in cash reserves and losing this league title with that cash surplus would be a mortal sin.
I don’t want projects. I want a proven goal scoring talent. If that takes ten million then spend it, Celtic.
I hope our board are not underestimating the price that will be paid and by whom if we blow this historic opportunity.
ESPIRITODECELT
If ya think a guy with one third of the stats of James Forrest is worth ten million then I’m glad you’re not negotiating for us in this transfer window.
Who else came in for Kent ? That should tell you something.
John Kennedy has now weny fron defence coach to fitness coach.?
State facts my mhan not pish
Went
FATHER JACK on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 9:25 PM
MACJAY
So you think that my post was gutter talk, I will take that as a compliment coming from you, you really need to get our more and make sure you take those blinkers off.
===================================================================
FATHER JACK on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 7:36 PM
MACJAY
You are so blinkered you fail to see when the piss is being extracted.
===============================================================
Yes , I do think it is gutter talk.
And quite disgusting.
Sftb-come on sir,do honestly think there is fans using the black word to that horrible person,considering where he leaves the pitch
There was always a chance Lenny would treat the huns with no respect yy.
He has treated them like something he stood on since he signed as a player…. Suits me but it cost us yy.
We are in a war and need MEN signed in January to win the league.
McGeady n Wanyama n Rhodes n Declan Gallagher n Paddy Roberts should be sought next week.
I still think we’ll win the league.
I’ve often wondered why Paul can be bothered keeping this thing going……
Mullets, eyes, Midges, David’s, Huddles and sundry other loons who are either Huns or Celtic ‘supporters’ with agendas.
I’ve only just realised that given the number of trolls it attracts he must be doing something right.
More power to your elbow.
Have a fantastic New Year and here’s to 10 in a row.
MCNUT on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 9:17 PM
In these days of marginal gains you’ve identified a whole 25% room for improvement. It’s a great achievement although maybe if you could show your methods it might help us and Celtic to improve to the point that we can emulate the tactical formation you so poetically described
The answer to your question is Neil Lennon. Without him we’d have won the champions league already
Sftb.
I can only describe what i heard and saw.
The abuse he got was for being feckin hopeless.
He started the throat slashing gesture way before the touchline as he removed his guards.
How clancy never red carded him zgain is beyond explaining.
Lets see this video.
If its legit i reckon it would broadcast by all the major channels by now.
If i remember was this not dioufs first response to the spitting incident!!.
Made up shite.
Regarding Ryan kent, I have to say i liked the look of this guy the first time i watched him in one of the european games i think against a Russian side. he was quick , agressive and worked his socks off in the game. I was surprised Liverpool let him go. But where did a club in dire financial position get the millions to sign the bloke?
Tom English
@CelticBlog2018 https://twitter.com/mcfadzean_neil/status/1211763965870690305/photo/1
Think El Buffalo is facing a definite 3 game ban, 1 Cup & 2 League, could get more inf convicted of bringing game into disrepute. I reckon the Huns are releasing every squirrel in Glasgow to try & win him sympathy from compliance officer.
morelos might or might not be a decent striker
but the fact is that trying to be that is at least 3rd or 4th on his list when he steps on the park
1st – acting like a total tit
2nd – diving
3rd – noising up opposition fans
4th – kicking opposition players
listening to the huns in the pub tonite who had bets on him to score yesterday.
thats 12 games now. stop losing yer cash ya muppets
and gerards celebration in front of the camera after the whistle…
the result didnt even get them to the top of the league let alone win a trophey
he will leave sevco as a serial loser to take over liverpool at the end of this season
if neil sorts it out
Just read their Statement today. Make no mistake, they are all in. Spending millions they don’t have, ludicrous PR and Statements to control the narrative and dictate the agenda, Even simple things like sending the sub goalkeeper round to warm up on the wrong side of the pitch to get a sinister message to McGregor. They will stop at nothing and have absolutely no shame. Our Board have stood idly by for some years now and allowed this monster to grow. I have to admit i have doubts as to whether they have the fight and stomach for what lies ahead.
Has police Scotland had any complaints on the conduct of
morealos and Kent ?
The threatening gestures towards innocent fans, whose only crime was being a Celtic supporter ?
Time for Police Scotland to show they are an impartial organisation and will uphold the law
So breach of Peace for the 2 named above, followed by the Manager land coach of Sevco
One for assaulting a cameraman
The other for threatening and abusive conduct towards a Celtic coach
Oh and if you find someone issueing racist or sectarian abuse arrest and convict them as well
Enjoy your time looking at that area Police Scotland
Our Board have stood idly by and allowed the monster to grow.?
Not sure what they could do to stop them growing.
Our Board is responsible for growing Celtic not for preventing other Clubs from growing,
You could make a case that Celtic underestimated the threat of the Huns this year and didn’t invest heavily enough in the team.
If they did underestimate the Huns they weren’t alone, so did the vast majority of this blog.
It is what it is, now it’s a question of what they do now not what they should have done in the past.
Statement today. Make no mistake, they are all in. Spending millions they don’t have,
—–
that is their only plan
stopping 10 in a row
nothing else matters
regardless of how much it costs
sevco will go bankrupt either way
we need to make sure its because we get the 10
Some Blogger known or formerly known as GM or something called me (David’s) a Loon or a Hun or a fan with an agenda.😂😂😂😂
Get a life ya looser it’s a blog. Everyone has an opinion, you either like it or not.
😂😂😂😂
D. Or David :)
What our board is culpable of is not standing our ground. I know I’m in a minority here but Reid would not put up with this pish
CORKCELT on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 10:33 PM
Our Board have stood idly by and allowed the monster to grow.?
———
As far as i am concerned we rubber stamped over a decade of cheating. No review and no checks and balances put in place. The Newco have brought the game into disrepute time and time again but nothing can or will be done because the path was left clear for them. Our Board have been complicit in an abject failure to govern the game because it was financially beneficial to them. I am only answering your query, we’ve been through this and most folk know the score.
My point is that the Huns are all in. It wouldn’t surprise me if our Board are sitting back thinking we are all hysterical.
What our board is culpable of is not standing our ground. I know I’m in a minority here but Reid would not put up with this pish
—–
agreed with important part of that
the reid part is irrelevant.
our board is silent on so much
its as if they might be happy with the whole scenario
cant believe for a second that PL is happy with his 2 million quid a year pay
oh, hang on…
but as i said earlier, yesterdays defeat wasnt his fault
Our statement tonight was spot on, we highlighted no one had contacted us regarding this and invited those making the accusations to come forth and help us investigate.
It’s now put up or shut up time. Should the SFA decide to go lenient on Morelos because of his ‘abuse’ then we go to war with the SFA.
At the minute it’s a hun accusation and if you get into an argument with a drunk, you can not win.
AN DUN on 30TH DECEMBER 2019 10:57 PM
We should not lower ourselves to a tit for tat with that mob. They are rabid. This isn’t a PR war.
What we need is to tool up with better players. We should do our talking on the pitch.
Fairhill Bhoy
“Sftb-come on sir,do honestly think there is fans using the black word to that horrible person,considering where he leaves the pitch”
Doesn’t matter much what I think.
It’s what actually happened that is important to establish.
Sean Thornton gives me good grounds to believe it is not true- the important point is to face up to and investigate whatever comes through as evidence (or false evidence)
if i read a midfield of “forrest brown mcgregor christie” in the next big game we play after the break then i will know that neil hasnt learned anything then thats when i start panickin about 9
Sftb-I was in a round about way asking for your opinion on what you think happened
Cannot see the difference in Kent’s actions to those of Morelos.Making death threats by shooting or cutting threats.Whats the difference.?This is what makes me rage.Getting beat by this scum.From top to bottom they are an outrage to our game.Fat Traynor sitting churning out blatant lies,and getting them printed.We issue a statement about Racism.Another blatant lie.Nothing about Kent or Morelos behaviour.Sometimes I just want to scream.
Turkey bhoy-you and a lot like you are lucky,you wake up tomorrow to the sun
We wake up to the sun and the record
Transfer window opens in 24hrs
We have 60m in bank
If we are a well run football club striker signed within a day of window with large extensive list which will include right and left midfield and a Center half , CL qualifiers in 7 months. Need players bedded in plus ten in a row
We are of course a poorly run football club run as a cost cutting business by Peter lawell and we sign another cheap non scoring striker and a few loans
St-boring now
It was £40m earlier
Fair hill
Transfer window most important time in a season Pressure in for recruitments to
Our gulf in balance sheet onto park
If it’s boring for you to improve. Then. Toddle off and scroll by
St-you’re telling me me to Toddle off😉
Nay bother buddy👍