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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corkcelt
Let’s have a look at the non seeds – do you feel lucky – well do ya
Mainz, Lech Poznan, Hull, Partizan Belgrade, Torino, Feyenoord, Rosenborg, Hajduk Split, Grasshoppers, Rostov, Krasnador
Parachuting the new guy straight in to play alongside an untried, untested, experimental midfield was bound to put the defence under sever pressure – what a game to be experimenting in – incredible – and going by the comments on here pre kick off we could all see that, so yes it will be very interesting to see if Ronny learns from his mistakes, its possible, he could get better as the season goes on, but this European test has come way too early for Ronny, maybe by Xmas he might have a better idea of what he’s doing.
Thought chatting on here might relieve the heartache of last night but no chance. 24 hour sabbatical called for. God Bless All & God Bless the wee Children in Gaza.
Quonno
Somebody else’s bank sadly where they exchanged Amido Balde, Derk and other projects that didn’t quite love up to the sales pitch :(
BadaBing Griffiths showing the lack of professionalism that Rony is not happy with at Parkhead I dont think him and a few others will be in Ronys future plans. H.H.
Last night was a terrible result, however I’m not going to be working myself up into a rage over a football match when there are people dying in this world who don’t need to be.
We have no divine right to win every match or even every trophy in Scotland – look where that mindset got another, now dead, Glasgow club.
There is no doubt we can still get through but ffs look at the Legia supporters to a man driving their team on last night. Most of ours at home sit on their hands but we will need to give the team a huge boost next week. Positive energy and all that. We gave the old EBT enhanced Rangers a few good skelpings down the years and we need to bring that level of intensity next week and dictate the game.
Hope the rumors of a player unrest is true. Can’t wait to see the back of Dellia.
—-
My Dear Friend….Kojo
Just Tae Think…..
‘Captain Courageous’,John Terry…
Was DESPERATE Tae ‘Pull Oan’ The HOOPS This Season……
But Yon Pesky ‘Rainbow Janitor’ Fae Hamilton….
Said…..NAW !!!!
—–
quonno I’m still stunned by last night’s (non) performance so was just responding to a question from a fellow blogger. Afraid I don’t have the nous to know why it happened so spectacularly last night,let’s just hope that’s it out of our system and we can do enough in the return- big ask I know. Hail Hail Hebcelt
bsp. Last post before my sabbatical, I’d take Rosenborg now. There are 32 possible opponents there are only 11 in your list incl Rosenborg. So 21 “lesser” teams possible. Please leave it at that, I need cheering up not further depression.
Kennings passion – Hope the rumors of a player unrest is true. Can’t wait to see the back of Dellia.
– Hi Neil. Any news on your next management role ?
lennons passion pretty sad post mate, players don’t fancy the manager so don’t try get him the sack cheat the supporters , you can’t be happy with that. Hail Hail Hebcelt
I’m genuinely curious as to where anyone “walking away” from Celtic walks to.
Away from football altogether presumably as the alternative , supporting another team , just does not compute.
corkcelt
KTF :))))
If you leave the computer those that need to be obeyed are onto you in a flash with chores .
TSD
Henry Hook was not a sergeant at the time of Rorke’s Drift.
Neil Lennon was far from being an example of model professional habits during his playing career though he did achieve a high level.
You are and were dead wrong about Tony Watt- live with it! Even if he comes good again at Liege, you were and are wrong about the period on which you commented.
All of these factual mistakes (lies??) are in keeping with the standard of your political postings.
Bet you wished you had just made a spelling mistake, eh?
..last word from me today on this as like most of us I’m feeling incredibly low after last nights debacle.. if Ronny is out of his depth as Manager of Celtic, then who’s fault is that, its certainly not Ronny’s.
Lennon’s Passion.
Genuine question. Do you really want to see a manager go on the back of one , admittedly poor , performance?
Wgs – should he have gone after Artmedia?
MON – after losing 5-1 at Ibrox?
NL – after say Clyde or Morton?
I accept that RD might be the new TM but , if I recall TM’s first few games in charge were pretty decent.
corkcelt
Not clear yet as some have still to play qualifiers, the is are all non seeds
Anyway by the weekend, I’ll have talked myself into turning round the 4-1 in Warsaw.
Note to new Gaffer
Effe is NOT a centre back.
fix that and we fix 90% of our defensive woes.
the list
Supporters coming on after one defeat saying sack the manager sack Peter Lawwell im thinking of quitting supporting Celtic.That is really negative and I cant see how that attitude is helpful we need to get behind Rony and give him time to sort out the problems and bring in his players in order to play his style roll on the second leg I say. H.H.
I note many STILL making excuses for last night and for our so called strategy. Moneyball right enough!
I feel sorry for Ronny but he is unfit for the job and shouldn’t have been given it in the first place. PL is to blame for that and for our strategy of downsizing and waiting for the Hun. You gotta go Peter. One gamble too far. You are arrogant and it. Has resulted in this disaster.
Lennon’s Passion.
Remember the fist fight between Kriss and Neil last year.
Rumours indeed
Ole Tony Mowbray and his Wembley Wizards.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective
Pal..
We were Done In By the Legia Fans…
No question..
Tak a Look at wit Happened tae Legia’s Attitude.. if ye get the Opportunity tae
view a Re Run o last Night’s game
Right after We Scored that Great Goal..last Night..
when.. Legia’s Players.. Heard..n Responded tae the Tumultuous Encouragement..which Poured like Gold Dust..oota the Stands..
Legia.. Goat that wee.. ..
NA.. Large… Very Large..
Jag of Adrenalin that Only.
The Total backing of Friendly Fans..
or a Can o’ Popeye’s Spinnach.. kin Impart.
n.. Legia.. Equalized.. tae Celtic’s Horror n Consternation.
Oor Lads went fae the Penthoose. tae the Basement..
In a New Yoik Minute!
Yes..
” It wiz the Fans, Dummy..”
it seems that….Naebuddy,oan here..except..
Kojo..
Realized .. How Important their Fans Never sae Die Attitude..
Turned ..Legia.. Around ,,,
n brought them Back intae the Game. after they had suffered from the effects of that Shocking n Demoralizing…. celtic goal.
Nice chatting, Pal.. as Alwiz
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Bearer of bad news for some but I took a call from a friend about to fly to Vegas this morning stating Stokes was suited and booted with his agent heading somewhere.
Had already heard Anthony is not in Ronny’s plans and a general comment about a disappointment in regards to fitness levels of the British players on return to the fold.
Poor show last night, from bench to field and back again. Some struck me as, at best unfit and at worst uninterested.
If Pukki is the answer – I’m baffled as to the question.
I can only hope Charlie was using up a whole season’s worth of gash in one night.
And if there is any player, no matter who, not wanting to try 100% for that jersey? Ship ’em out! Pronto!
Left back on the bench? I’m sorry, could you repeat that?
Ronny son, I can only hope your watch stopped as well…
TLWIO
Yes I want Dellia out minds me of AVB all talk. Bamboozles the players with guff imo. Brought in a analyser during the week to find weak points in opponents. Thought that was manager job.
notthebus 17:21 on 31 July, 2014
…………..and Neil and Aiden earlier.
I brought this up through the night but I was seriously disappointed with the theatrics of the Legia side, feigning injury and rolling around, that IMHO almost caused a riot near the end.
When Kucharczyk goes down in the box he doesn’t claim a penalty, no he simulates the card sign….I thought that FIFA had outlawed this….also the commentator mentioned that their physio was doing this on the touchline…..time tae get tough with those perogie eating cheaters.
There’s a lot of talk on here about Artmedia but lets not forget Xamax Neuchatel, if Charlie Nick hadn’t missed an early penalty we might have turned that tie round……this with a team that contained Mark McNally, Brian O’Neil and Mike Galloway…oh aye and John Collins….apart from the latter I’d like to think we have better players now.
As for Artmedia….didn’t Dr. Joe warn us to not dismiss them at our peril.
NegAnon2. You can tell after 6 weeks Rony is not up to the job ? How can you tell after such a short period ? H.H.
I remember us laughing at the hun because of their treatment of LeGuen trying to change a culture, we’re much better ain’t we
“Don’t chuck ruddy spears at me”
Michael Caine *cockney put on public school accent* – Rorke’s Drift
The MONEYBALL is burst!
MWD says AYE
if as i assume that FF and VVD will be sold to recoup loss of CL monies its fair to say that no Champions League quality of player will want to come to play in the SPFL and possible EL participation…………i think we will be starting the season with pretty much what we have now (unless our RD gets in another loanee which he has already stated he does not like doing.
one thing bugging me is if RD had the confidince to play our new loanee from the start in such a vital game when he has hardly played a game and would be unfamiliar with his team mates why on earth just sign the guy on a 6 month loan if he had so much faith in him.? something is not quite right there
NegAnon2. You can tell after 6 weeks Rony is not up to the job, just as well there was no CQN in 1965
With the return of Stein, Celtic still had an outside sniff of the title but following that 6-0 trouncing of Airdrie, in the eight remaining league games, the new manager chose to field six different line-ups as he searched for his favoured XI.
Seemingly, results were not the preferred be-all and end-all as the nearest Stein came to repeating that win was a 4-0 win over old charges Hibernian while the only other points garnered were in a 1-0 win over Third Lanark, thanks to an own-goal by former Celt Dunky McKay in what would be the last time the clubs ever met, and a 3-3 draw with Dundee.
The other four games didn’t make for good reading at all with a 2-1 loss to Partick Thistle being the best result from those as the others, a 4-2 home defeat to Hibs, a 6-2 loss to Falkirk at Brockville and a 5-1 slap by Stein’s other old club, Dunfermline at East End Park in the final game of the campaign didn’t bode well at all for the future.
For rumour mongers Stokes was off to a court hearing in Ireland regarding his alleged assault on a guy in a Bar. Why not publish nonsense on CQN Mr. Mcgee oh you have already done that. H.H.
ulysses mcghee
Stokes was off to Dublin for the court case?
HH