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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doc
That “mhan” is open to debate. Man, yes. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Weefra
Keep on keeping on sir! :)
Canny wait to meet you at your coarner, very soon.
Mon The Leather Belts!
WeeFra, it isn’t, just a different perspective, and I love seeing a different perspective.
Broadens the mind, may not change it, but does inform debate.
If you ever come into MONEY don’t keep it in a BALL. Selling your Granny will just be the start of it!
MWD says AYE but says NAW to downsizing your family
I’ll be at Murrayfield next Wednesday, shouting for the Celtic :-)
Cowiebhoy back in Scotland – Aye
DD
Looking forward so much to our big meet. Hope everything is ok your end, we are all fine now.:-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
—-
setting free the bears for res. 12 &
oscar knox but saying no to cqn
racists
23:46 on 31 July, 2014
Not only has Watt gone. The
manager who paid money for him
had the sense not to throw him into
the CL qualifying tie with
Panathanaikos.
—————————
The Belgian Manager Was Just Playing Safe…..
In A Tricky Away Fixture….
Fielding Only Players With ‘Long’ Surnames….
Like Midfielder….
Trianatafyllopoulos…..
In The Hopes Of Avoiding Bookings And Suspensions…..
Viva KevinJ…..Leghend !
—-
Are you listening Peter?
@Pontifex: When one lives attached to money, pride or power, it is impossible to be truly happy.
Even the Pontif says Naw tae MONEYBALL ya greedy bonus lovin git.
MWD says AYE
Watt asking for more money?
Usually when asking for a raise you have to at least justify the extra money to the financial team. Well either you or your immediate boss.
So what was Watt’s rationale?
I’m Tony Watt?
My last contract raise was two years ago?
I’ve added to my experience by playing occasionally for Lierse?
I once scored against the mighty Barcelona in front of 55, 000 passionate fans?
I hope the door hit him on his erse on the way out.
Macjay1 the reason I started posting on CQN ten years ago was because I knew paul was well connected at CP. For a while Paul and I sparred on whether this was a celtic sponsored site. I was wrong and our sparring bed to some very unfortunate consequences for Paul and sadly his family. It was never my intention and I still feel bad about it.
But the whole point of my posts is that I want to stop the shameful waste. I have no influence but I hope my points make us all think and act. I believe it’s in the best interests of us. And by us I mean the celtic support. That’s what I believe celtic is. Not those who run the club.
doc
You better come over early, we will be gabbing for hours. Jees, the mrs will be deeeeelighted. Hahahaha. The wee chick is growing just fine and the wee ones will love being here. Mind the wellies. Once you find your way, the next time must be January – March. Lambing time, an eye opener for any kids. Will explain more when your over. :-)))
Weefra HH paying to Wee Oscar.
GG when I meet CQN posters the are all fantastic. We don’t agree much but that’s how we learn.
Sadly many on this site cant understand that and my greatest weakness is biting back. I do it because I think our complacency is our biggest weakness. It frustrates the life out of me.
Doc. I will keep posting. Poor old notthebus!
NEGANON2
I said in a reply to a mail from a well-respected poster on here that he was a Celtic supporter long before PL arrived,and will be long after he’s gone.
He’s a bit scunnered-to put it mildly-at the moment.
But yourself,SYDNEYTIM,MICHAEL COLLINS,and a fair few more have been banging the same drum for a while now. It’s a drum which resonated with me and many more of us.
We didn’t want to be proven right because that would mean the club being where it is now. Speaking up in an effort to avoid disaster isn’t the same as wishing for disaster.
Keep on giving it out,mate.
I look forward to the day we can join the happyclapper club!
Weefra
All well in Bankieland thanks.
God bless you and your family.
See you soon. :))
—–
My Dear,Dear Macjay1…..
Kudos For Administering The SOUNDEST Of Thrashings…….
To ‘The Beast Of Cambuslang’ The Other Night….
Over Our Discussion On The Significant Role..
Played By The Grand Mufti, In WWII…
How Ironic It Is That These Mendacious Marxists..
Who Are So Quick To Throw Around ‘The Racist Smear’…..
Are The BIGGEST Anti-Semites Around?
Lenin, Sverdlov Kaganovitch,Wee Krakupskaya…..
And TROTSKY….!!
Will Be Turnin’ In Their Graves…..
~~~~~~~~
Biased BBC
You Can Be Anti-Semitic…Just Be Clever About It!
————————————–
Posted by Alan
27th July 2014
‘It pains me to have to admit this but anti-Semitism isn’t just tolerated in some sections of the British Muslim community; it’s routine and commonplace. Any Muslims reading this article – if they are honest with themselves – will know instantly what I am referring to. It’s our dirty little secret. You Could Call It The Banality Of Muslim Anti-Semitism.’ [ Mehdi Hasan]
When Muslims murdered 52 people and injured over 700 in London in 2007 one of the BBC’s main priorities was to attempt to find a motivation for the bombings other than the truth.
The BBC rushed to ask ‘What drove these young British Muslims to do this act?’ The BBC’s answer was of course that it was our own fault…these poor Muslims were probably jobless, disenfranchised, disadvantaged and discriminated against…therefore the BBC concluded…the bombings could be ‘understandable’….when Democracy fails you you have to adopt other
means as the BBC once told us in relation to the terrorist group ‘The Weathermen’ in America. The BBC soon backtracked on that approach when complaints flooded in…however they continue it sotto voce.
A murderous spree excused by the BBC on the grounds that the killers were upset becasue they were jobless and unrepresented in the political discourse. And yet the BBC can’t understand why Israel, under constant attack for 70 years and threat of annihilation, should wish to destroy Hamas and its ilk.
The BBC’s John Simpson, the Liberator of Kabul, rustled up a similar excuse when he claimed that riots in France by the Muslim immigrants were due to Muslim’s fury and resentment, bitter grievances, ignored and demeaned, kept in poverty by a system which cares very little about them
The BBC are staying very quiet about the recent bouts of Muslim ‘fury and resentment’ as attackers prowl the streets of Europe hunting down Jews….the same BBC that handed over the airwaves to Muslim activists raging about ‘Islamophobia’ and acted as cheerleader for the orchestrated Establishment witch hunt against the EDL.
The BBC’s almost complete silence on anti-Semitism is striking.
The Sunday Times headlines the new Europe that is developing, and has been, ignored by the BBC, for years…Gaza is just a cover for anti-Semites to carry out their pogroms….after all where are the same ‘protests’ about ISIS, Syria, Pakistan, Nigeria and all those other countires where Christians are becoming an endangered species….not just Christians but Muslims declared not to be ‘Muslim’…and that includes Britain where the Ahmadi are declared blasphemers…and hence are in danger.
The Times states:
‘Anti-Semitic attacks scar British cities.’
Many of the attacks are carried out by young Muslim men it tells us…as do reports from across Europe.
We are told Europe is abandoning its basic values such as freedom and tolerance and is capitulating before those who place hatred and extremism above all else.
Funny how the BBC turns a blind eye.
*ttp://biasedbbc.org/blog/2014/07/27/you-can-be-anti-semitic-just-be-clever-about-it/
God Bless Wee Hamish…..
The CWG Scottie Dug….!!
————–
NegAnon2
00:10 on
1 August, 2014
On the run right now,but I really appreciate your candour.
If I may, I would like to discuss this with you later.
We`re on the same side and I`m certain we both want what is best for our club.
How to achieve that is where we may differ.
Hail Hail
Neganon, you better.
WeeFra, lambing time will be cool, and will see you next week.
Night Fholks.
I thought most Muslims were Semitic, no ?
Margaret McGill –
You claim Tony Watt was shown the door because he asked for more money.
Tony Watt still had 2 years of his Celtic contract to run.
So would you care to elaborate on what basis Tony Watt asked Celtic for more money?
Thanks.
Is this really happening
Canamalar, yes they are.
Macjay we are on the same side. We just disagree on the right road. There is nothing wrong with that.
Would love to meet up for a beer.
Doc rest assured bud.
Bobby too true. There is no reward or fun in what happenned last night. I felt so angry and powerless. We gotta change and do the simple things. But those in control can’t see straight anymore. It’s our job to wake em up.
DD
Looking forward again. Take care kiddo. :-)).
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
doc
Take care and good night. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
TSOAL
Naw, we’re tripping.
Shrooms in the Kilpatrick Hills.
Loch Humphrey is alive.
Peace&Love
We seem to lose our discipline awfully easily in the away leg of European qualifiers even against moderate opposition. Since 2010:-
Braga 3, Celtic 0 (1 penalty conceded).
Utrecht 4, Celtic 0 (2 penalties conceded).
Sion 3, Celtic 1 (1 penalty conceded, 1 red card).
Legia Warsaw 4, Celtic 1 (2 penalties conceded, 1 red card).
That’s 6 penalties conceded in 4 games and an aggregate of 14 goals against and 2 for. We don`t seem to do narrow defeats in these games, we tend to go for all out implosion. Incidentally of the players in the current squad Scott Brown and Beram Kayal featured in 3 out of these 4 games with Mulgrew, Zaluska, Forrest and Forster appearing in 2 of them.
Going further back to 2005 our record away from home in qualifying is woeful.
2005 – Artmedia 5, Celtic 0
2006 – Direct entry to CL
2007 – Spartak Moscow 1, Celtic 1
2008 – Direct entry to CL
2009 – Dynamo Moscow 0, Celtic 2
2009 – Arsenal 3, Celtic 1
2010 – Braga 3, Celtic 0
2010 – Utrecht 4, Celtic 0
2011 – Sion 3, Celtic 1
2012 – HJK Helsinki 0, Celtic 2
2012 – Helsingborg 0, Celtic 2
2013 – Elfsborg 0, Celtic 0
2013 – Karagandy 2, Celtic 0
2014 – Legia Warsaw 4, Celtic 1
Played – 12
Won – 3
Drew – 2
Lost – 7
For – 10
Against – 25
A curious problem against mainly average opposition teams that has affected three different managers and various Celtic teams. We have made 7 attempts to qualify for the CL in this period, qualifying on 3 occasions (once via a penalty shoot out and once with a decisive goal in the final minute of injury time. Only 2012 could be described as a comfortable qualification).
We have made 2 attempts to qualify for the Europa League to date failing to do so under our own steam on both occasions. (Sion`s registration issues bailed us out in 2011).
Its a less than 50 per cent success rate in terms of qualification over a ten year period and provides damning evidence of how poorly prepared we are for these matches and how little we learn from previous years failures.
Tom
Yer wasting yer time, I’m fed up asking the same question, proof. However, how are you and are you glad to be home? Used to love blethering when you were GGT. Really pleased you got over yer health problems, hopefully permanent, and looking forward to, hopefully, meeting you at CP. KTF
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Tipping point has been reached…. Ronny always felt like a punt to me. He may well be Celtic manager material …in about 5 years time.
The Board need to revise their strategy unless they want empty stadium and tumbleweed next season.
Weefra –
I am good thanks. Just got back from a wee visit to my local. Going off to bed.
Enjoying my retirement and precious time with my family. My sons and I have season tickets so looking forward to my first visit to Paradise. Will hope to meet you at CQN corner.
Good to chat to you again my friend.
Goodnight and Hail Hail.
Cultsbhoy
What if we win 3-0 at Murrayfield (will be putting a score on that result) will that be a tipping point in RD’s favour? :)
Delaneys Dunky
00:29 on 1 August, 2014
TSOAL
Naw, we’re tripping.
Shrooms in the Kilpatrick Hills.
Loch Humphrey is alive.
Peace&Love
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You better believe that.
Czech this oot, I remember doing a Humphrey Bogart with a few others at the Reservoir and who walks past? Yeah my Dad, the little fluffy clouds that we were admiring, well they disappeared instantaneously.
I think I got away with it though, as he was shouting at us from a fair wee distance away. :)) in his booming voice.
Tom
Sooner rather than later my friend. :-)
Cot calling, so Night Night Timland.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Tom
You have the same surname as half my family. Proud McLaughlin fae Donegal! Look forward to when we meet. :)
weefrathetim
23:52 on 31 July, 2014
And GCT
Tony watt was bought for £1.2 m
So he must be pure shite
Both of you away and bile yer heids
Ok next?
margaret mcgill
00:56 on 1 August, 2014
weefrathetim
23:52 on 31 July, 2014
And GCT
Tony watt was bought for £1.2 m
So he must be pure shite
Both of you away and bile yer heids
Ok next?
Ooooooooooooh, so Celtic made £1m on him. Sounds like good business to me. You away and melt yer brass neck. End of.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
weefrathetim
23:52 on 31 July, 2014
margaret mcgill
23:44 on 31 July, 2014
weefrathetim
You will obviously have a differing view, that’s why I am a supporter and a fan, rather than a fan. Jees oh it gets really tiresome talking to your type, away and support yer local team and gie them the pelters ye give Celtic and gie us peace. HH and good night to you. I really am ground down wi you. You wummen will never learn to shut yer gubs. Ghod help yer man, if ye can find the time to find one in between denigrating Celtic
++++++++++++++++++++++
Oh the temerity!
The gall
The presumption
Such impudence
I’m a bigger Tim than you are …..
NA NA NA NA na
NA NA NA NA NA x million zillion to the power n
Petec
Thanks :)) Great wee vijeo of oor local nature reserve and world escape. Magical place, the Humphrey.