This was a defensive and tactical failure. Efe Ambrose was slow to follow his man for the first goal (Fraser was the beaten easily, though redeemed himself later). Efe was also brushed off the ball at the second goal. Strength in the six yard box is imperative for a central defender.
Mikael Lustig was caught underneath his man for the cross which led to the second goal, a feature of our defending all night. All he could do was attempt to block the header back across goal, instead of challenge for the ball. He was also in the wrong starting position, and therefore, unable to stop the cross which led to the fourth goal.
With Lustig and Ambrose already culpable at the second goal, Virgil van Dijk was caught napping. He may have expected better from his team-mates, but he should have remained alert with the ball inside the penalty area. The space afforded to Radovic, Virgil’s man, should never have existed.
I’ve no idea why Emilio, our only left back, was omitted from the starting line-up. He offered balance when he came on, until his late horror show when he was turned inside out, then inside out again, at the third goal. It was like watching a clip from the 50s, when full backs didn’t know to get tight and close-off one option for the attacker.
Charlie Mulgrew had a nightmare beyond the level of the others, which is saying something. Two penalty kicks, failing to attack the ball with his man, who headed the third goal, failing to track the run for the fourth, and the debacle which led to possession being lost when Efe was red carded, was a calamitous return.
I’ve heard transfer rumours about everyone who played in defence last night apart from Lustig and Izaguirre. It looked like the defenders had been listening to them too, and had minds on other things.
The squad’s weaknesses were exposed by Legia.
It’s probably too late to lament the absence of Wanyama, but with Brown again out through injury, we’re short of bite in central midfield, exactly what we needed when the defence was comatose. Stefan Johansen and Charlie Mulgrew had the senior combative roles, it just didn’t work. We need to fix this gap as soon as possible.
Ronny got things wrong.
I agree with the manager’s assessment in his post-match BBC interview, the back four didn’t defend as a unit, which is fatal at any level of football, and we didn’t press as a team. I’ll make no excuses for the defenders, but playing this specific 4-3-3 away from home in Europe was asking for trouble.
If we’re short of bite with Johansen and Mulgrew, we’re shorter still if the third man in the middle is the creative Kris Commons. Love him, though we do, he is neither a tackler nor a box-to-box player. The middle three in this formation need to be mobile, covering as much ground as four, sometimes five, opponents. Johansen, Mulgrew and Commons was wrong on all levels. As a result, the Legia midfield probably had their easiest game of the year.
Callum McGregor delivered a goal, as much as anyone could reasonably expect of him, but this was his first game against top-flight full-timers. He needs people to ease him into the role. Jo Inge Berget hasn’t trained with the club, has played only twice since January and there’s a reasonable chance he didn’t know the names of all his team-mates.
If you want to know why we didn’t press as a team as soon as Legia got in amongst us, the clues are everywhere. Of course we didn’t press as a team.
On top of this, we ran the same Pukki experiment as last year, with the same outcome. We’ve seen a lot more of this Celtic team than Ronny, who might now be on the same page as the rest of us.
“Anywhere but Warsaw” was title of the CQN article on the day of the draw as this one was entirely predictable, and that was before Legia won in Dublin. The new manager has yet to get his feet under the table. The squad are in a state of flux. We are short of experienced, reliable, players in several positions, and football in July is often a lottery. There was a chance Legia would capitulate but it was more likely that they would be fitter and better rehearsed.
Seven days is a long time in preseason terms, and as you don’t need me to tell you, we’ve been here before. Don’t think this is over.
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proud to be part of the celtic family
Interesting point on Mjallby’s abscence. I’m not sure if Danny McGrain is back coaching yet but the full backs look all over the place too. It’s early days though and we can all be nit picking. What happens next could be interesting.
LB
Since the appointment of RD I’ve avoided CQN cause I hate being negative.
It’s great so many are giving this guy time but he has come from a standard of football below Scotland. Rosenborg lost to St Johnstone last season that’s how far their standards have slipped.
How much homework was done on his background?
What experience does he have to lead Celtic into a CL campaign?
How many matches did he have in Europe?
Comparison to Strachan’s start but Gordon had 10 years experience behind him in a high quality league.
Hopefully we’ll make the Europa League but I’m not even confident about that.
The manager is the most important person at a football club and a club like Celtic shouldn’t be messing about with amateurs.
Sorry I’ll stop its all negative.
Hopefully McGregor, Henderson and Fisher will get a chance to develop this season with 20 to 25 games. We need some fresh blood.
It’s done now, best to just let it go.
All the consternation in the world isn’t going to change last night’s result.
Anyway, I’m not gonna give up on Celtic, no matter what.
Score an early goal next week and the team is back in contention again.
BE SEEN IN GREEN – WE ARE THE CELTS!
HH.
In the 2nd leg we need Griffiths, Commons and McGregor shooting on sight and Stokes shooting only within 10 yards of the goal and going nowhere near free kicks. We need to pile pressure on their keeper and when in good positions get balls into the box in the right areas like their 4th goal last night, picking a man out as no one is going to win a header.We need Johansen to thread balls in behind them. From set pieces we need Van Dijk, Ambrose and Lustig to attack everything and we need to harass them for 90+ minutes like we do in the league at the end when we need a goal, bearing in mind we may need 5 to win the tie, and squeeze the game from the off.
Then and only then allied with a bit of luck do we have a chance.
A full house at Murrayfield would help.
If its not to be bring on the Europa League.
HH
hebcelt, Gary67
Ronny did manage them in the EL in the previous 2 seasons. Getting knocked out in the 3rd qualifier in both seasons…eeek
HH
hebcelt
“have we ever appointed a manager who had previously managed in the CL.”
Just the CL or does that include the old European Cup?
We have never appointed a manager who had previously managed in the CL unless Wim Jansen or Dr Jo did.
HH
Ruggerman @15:52
Like you, I do like the 4-3-3 system – with the right players …. I am just not sure that our squad is made for it.
It means the three in the middle have a lot of responsibility, and each need to be able to break up play and make a play/see and make a pass …. brown can break up a play, but not a great passer (except one out of 10 which can be sublime)…
And, as you say, the ‘wingers’ need to do a lot of work …. I lwould have LG in the middle as you suggest …I like Forrest going forward, but he does nothing defensively, and is very small…. and KC is wasted out wide, and doesn’t defend well … so, the midfiled would get swamped (which we have seen a few times when teams play 5 across the middle)
so, with the present personnel, I dont see the 433 working ….
—–
Jings..! Crivvens..! Holy Smirkin’ Zbyszeks..!
Oor Chairlie Is Bein’ Unfairly Criticised..
Oan This Sainted Blog…!
Chairlie Should NOT Be Asked Tae Play In Midfield,In The EL…..
He Is A CH/LB….Whose Versatility Is Being Abused….
As Was The Case With Celtic Leghend,Vidar Riseth……..
Asking Chairlie Tae Haud The Midfield Together…..
Wi’ A Totally Dysfunctional LEFT WING..
That Hidnae Been Introduced Tae Wan Anither Afore The Match…
Wiz Like Expectin’ Sgt.’Hookey’……
Tae Haud Back The Rampagin’ Hordes O’ Zulus……
Wi’ One Erm… BLASTED AFF !!
When Michael Caine’s Oot Wi’ A Hammie Strain….
We Wiz Hopin’ Fer ‘Rorke’s Drift’….
An’ Instead…. Goat ISANDLWANA…!!
Oh,The Humanity…!!
—–
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1csr0dxalpI&fulldescription=1&client=mv-google&gl=GB&hl=en-GB&guid=
‘Zulu’- The Final Attack (5min)
“Don’t Shoot ‘Till You See The Whites Of Their Eyes…… Corporal Pukki !! ”
—
Sure, Ronny goat his Selection wrang..
As Ah remarked ,when Ah saw the Team Sheet…
Ah wiz Astonished..
However.. His Foxes Paw has tae be Mitigated, n.. Strongly..
By his Total Lack of Knowledge.. concerning the
Strengths n Weakeness of hiz NEW CHARGES
Ah hiv said oan Here..fur Weeks..’
That..
Commons or Stokesy..wur Not C.L. Material..n Should Never Play in A European Confrontation..
Ah Hiv also said..
Darling Charlie is OOR BEST C.B.
Ah hiv said that Very thing… Many times in the Past…not Recently,of Course..
But
Ah hiv always Known that playing Charley,exclusively , as a Mid fielder..
Wiz.. Jist Plain Wrong..
Yes.. Ah believe that Charlie ,as a C.B. is even Bettah than.. Virgil..
Ah hiv Also said..
in the Past
Efe,is NOT A C.B.
He is A Mid Fielder..n.. a Damn Good Yin..
He should be Draughted tae Mid Field..n. given a Run of Games in that Position..
If He wiz allowed tae settle in that Position.. Ah am sure that Celtic
wid Be well Rewarded. by His Intelligent Passing..
Ah also said.. Recently, this Time..
That..
Lustig is NOT the same old Sixpence. that He wiz.. Pre his Operation..
Izzy,is Oor Very Best ATTACKING WEAPON ,at this Time.
Izzy,is Playing at the very top of his Game..his crossing is Hit or Miss. but..
HE still is Capable of Making Things Happen..
Right away..one can see..
Some of the Mistakes which Ronny Made in that team selection of His..
Charley should be Immediately Evacuated…to his
BEST position.. which is.. C.B.
Kayal should Start.. Biton. well… Ah dinna Know Enuff aboot him.hiving seen so Little..
But..Ah wid gie him a Shot tae see whit he Has goat..
Steffi,Could Become Good.. Ah hiv no made up MA mind aboot him Eethur.
n.. yes..
We Need A Strong Mid fielder.. Broonie?
Hmmmmmm
Na.. Ah wiz thinking of Bringin in a Real.. GENUINE… Mid field ENFORCER..
We .at this time..
Hiv
NO attacking Options.. if Izzy..or Adam.. don’t play..
Adam is A Far Better Option than. Lustig.. At this Time.. on the Right ..as an Attacking Option
Let me Emphazise this..
At this Time..n . the Kind of Team Selections which Ronny has bin Pitting Oot..
Has Shown Me.. that
We are absolutely
TOOTHLESS… when It comes tae Hiving An attacking Threat
Coming from oor
WINGS..
We jist don’ t have any.. well… Wingmen..
Yes..Ronny has A Big Task in Front of Him
Ah am Hoping that
Ronny.. KNOWS IT.. as Well .
Nonetheless..In Spite of All Ma Criticisms agin Ronny
ah believe that we should .. be Patient…
Gie the Guy a Break.
He has a Loat tae Learn..
But.. the only thing that bothers Me..
WULL HE LEARN from His Mistakes???
Great Question..
n..
Wull Soon be Answered..
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
.
Just another tim so Ronny has better European credentials than all our previous managers -starting off – eeeek indeed hail Hail Hebcelt
TBB- Matthews and plenty others ,stand back and wait for someone else to try and impose themselves on a game .Too many bystanders who won’t fight for the team when we are up against it.As BSR said,the tackling ,all over the park was abysmal.
Thought Billy McNeil had more experience of European competition when he too over, no ?
Leigh Griffiths posts a pic of his new shoes the day after a humiliating defeat, eh why? Fans hurting big time today http://t.co/SzOnZbmoIM
this boy is an idiot
‘On top of this, we ran the same Pukki experiment as last year, with the same outcome. We’ve seen a lot more of this Celtic team than Ronny, who might now be on the same page as the rest of us.’
Paul, you preceded the above by cataloguing all the mediocrity that has been arrived at by years of relentless downsizing disguised as fiscal prudence and justified by the failings of others.
Some putting a good face on things will cite a gallant but ultimately futile four goal recovery against Artmedia Bratislava . However, that particular Celtic side included quality players such as Boruc, Balde, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson and, Hartson. How many of today’s squad can match up to the above. Not too many.
Much is being made today of a rookie manager’s tactics including the fielding, an untried, on loan recruit, in what may prove to be Celtic’s most important game of the season.
Leaving the untried and unfit recruit aside, let us dispense with the rookie manager nonsense.
RD did not appoint himself. Nor, like his predecessor did he get up on his hind legs and virtually beg for the job. His appointment is solely the responsibility of DD and PL who found themselves in a fix, perhaps of their own making, by the sudden, and as yet, satisfactorily explained departure of NL.
Unpalatable as it may be to the happy clappers, Celtic is in a mess of its own making. A few weeks ago, I suggested that the performance a CEO who has presided over Celtic going from a situation of alleged season book waiting list
To the present shambles, and shambles it is, should be having his role severely questioned.
I would proffer a dose of their own medicine to DD and PL. Forget everything else and concentrate solely on Celtic on the f
Nice shoes
hebcelt
The only one who had previous experience managing a team in the European Cup was Billy McNeil 2nd time around, unless you count Wim winning it, and note that he got his Feynoord team to the semi finals of the ECWC in 92.
Jo Venglos was Asst Manager of Czechoslovakia when they won the Euro Champs in 76, and was manager when they came 3rd in 1980. But his club career wasn’t so decorated.
That’s about it.
I am actually looking forward to our first home League game with great trepidation. I can foresee a reaction from the fans against Peter Lawell and the Board at the start of the game. However, I am very worried because that’s the time that Fergus will be hoisting the League flag and I am very concerned at how it will be portrayed by the media.
Worst thing is
Them shoes are horrible
Mike at 1539,
WGS made a similar point at the World Cup. He said our players will never understand the hunger that drives a player like Suarez, or Neymar, or Messi.
I think he’s got a point.
Also when I watched Brazil get annihilated by the Germans, it was obvious that mentally they weren’t right, they weren’t focused or in the zone. So much of sport happens between the ears. Our players looked totally out of it last night. Lazy, careless, sloppy, disinterested. Scandalous I think, and it’s not the first time I’ve seen it.
I always felt Lenny indulged certain players a bit- allowed them to play at 80percent instead of 100percent. I can’t see Ronny doing the same, which is why I think there will be blood on the carpet before too long.
LiviBhoy
16:30 on
31 July, 2014
proud to be part of the celtic family
Interesting point on Mjallby’s abscence. I’m not sure if Danny McGrain is back coaching yet but the full backs look all over the place too. It’s early days though and we can all be nit picking. What happens next could be interesting.
LB
I may be old fashioned, but just how much coaching should well paid players need?
Aye, how he media will report it is a big worry
:oD)))))))
—
My Dear Kojo..
—-
Tony Watt Has Been ‘Accused’ Of Not Training ‘Hard Enough’….
Well, In Any Games I Ever Saw Him Play …First Team & Development Squad..
He Was NEVER Short Of STAMINA…
Quite The Opposite….In Fact !
He Would Chase Down And Pester Opponents….
When They Were In Possession….
Even In The Closing Minutes..
The Lad Is A NATURAL ATHLETE…..
Who Only Belatedly Took An Interest In Professional Football….
He Should Have Been ‘Nurtured’ By A Perspicacious Manager….
He’s Certainly Not The First ‘Immature’ Starlet To Come Through Parkheid….
But Not Every Manager Has The ‘Pathos’ Of Jock Stein,Billy McNeil,David Hay……And Gordon Strachan..
I Suspect That NFL Resented Tony…
At One Level….
Because Here Was An Individual Blessed With Natural Athleticism…
Who Didn’t Need To ‘Put Himself Out’..
To Be A Decent Player…..
Whilst Lennon Was A ‘Manufactured’ Player…..
With No Particular Physical Attributes..
Who Achieved Success…..
Only By The Virtue Of Extensive Training….
At The Expense Of Social/Family Life..
He ‘Marked’ Tony’s Cards……
And The Rest..? ‘Chinese Whispers’..
Concur…?
—-
Neil canalmar yes no doubt as did Neil but I meant experience in managing in CL or European Cup. Hail Hail Hebcelt
I say Hey I got some new shoes on and ev’rything seems ta be right!
Am really worried a it what the press might say :oD))))))
theoriginalsadiesbhoy- was the Hibs player with the earings not Dirk “the diggler” Lehman?
hebcelt
Had to look up if Kenny Dalglish had managed Blackburn Rovers in the CL. He didn’t. He moved into the Director of Football position the year they were in it 95-96.
Jansen became Technical Director of Feyenoord in 92, the year the CL was re-branded, so he too never managed a CL team.
Venglos was an international manager with Slovenia & Oman before joining us.
So in short, no we have never appointed a manager with previous CL experience it seems.
HH
Italiabhoy at 16:43
You are right on the first point…. the German’s looked hungrier than … well, anyone … so, it is not as simple as I made it seem … but I dont think football in britain can be saved, by looking only at football … there is something larger at play.
I hope you are right on the second… that RD has the cojones to lay down the law, and that he is able to do so…. those that aren’t prepared to work harder (for the club) will be left behind….
sad that it has come to that at Celtic, but, honestly, I think a dose of hard cold reality is needed for everyone associated with the club (starting at the top with DD … who cant continue to take fans for granted …. all the way down to the players).
Just another tim
16:26 on
31 July, 2014
Finding it very difficult to comprehend how a Celtic supporter can even get to the point of even thinking of ‘walking away’ after 1 poor result! Shocking stuff
I take it that you consider St. Mirren, Killie and Morton to be not bad results for aclub whose assets dwarf those of the opposition put together.
If its Europa League Qualifying round, I assume we will be seeded and will meet one of the winners of the 3rd qualifying round. Are teams from same League excluded from playing each other or could we end up playing either St. Johnstone or Aberdeen if they got through.
Leigh Griffiths buys shoes whilst this place is one glass cage of emotion !!
In other news, Efe Ambrose chuckles out loud at spongebob squarepants..
Outrage porn in full swing down the celtic way
Hang em high csc
Weeminger thanks for reply. Figures are on the net 25m 2 years ago before 6m gate receipts last year 15m plus 6m again.
Does it matter a tuppeny damn who managed who, when and where.
The question is how does the current mess get fixed?
A wee injection of quality might help.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective
Pal..
Ah am Not in Favor of Persisting wi the ” Who Done ,Tony…?? Whiz it.. Tony, himself..or Had He Help?”
Ah , Masel. believe that He Had.. HELP…n a Loata.. Help..
Howevahhhh
Tony,is gone.. n.. It only remains.. fur Celtic, tae find oot..
“Wull We Regret, his Departure..or No?”
Time wull Tell.
Ah see that You n Ah are Pinkety ,Pinkety. aboot
Darlin’ Charley??
He is .. in Ma opinion.. Our very Best C.B.
N..jist like You. Ah believe that we are No getting the best of Charley.. when he Plays..strictly,in the Mid Field.
Yes…
Celtic,jist Noo.. are In a bit of a Turmoil..
Things..wull Change,though..
Ah am Confident that Ronny wull Mend awe the Broken doon Fences..
Renovate the Ranch Hoose.. Re-Build the Barn..
n.. Dig A few .. Needed… Wells.
n.. Wance Mair… The Parkheid Brand wull Be Respected, as before… awe over the West.
We need Two Wingmen..
Good Wans..no… Stiffs..like..well…
Nice chatting Pal..as Alwiz
Kojo
Still, Laughin
Just watched 3 wumman demolish a big bottle of Blue Wicked ,from getting on train at Hairmyres to Glasgow Central…..all in the spirit of the Games
thanks for the breakdown paul
it’s always reassuring to hear exactly how it is after a no show like yesterday especially in Europe even if we were dreadful- there’s a difficult couple of years ahead for us. anyway going up on the 16th, hope the place is buzzin, should be.
quonno
16:53 on
31 July, 2014
Of course I don’t. Bad results and bad performances are never welcome. Have they made me consider not supporting Celtic? Not a chance!
Never mind lads and lassies.
The Hooper and Wanyama money is still safe in the bank, shortly too be joined by more.