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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Morning bhoys…calmed down slightly from that horror show.
But im still asking, why is it ok to sack a manager, but not an executive?
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
08:01 on
1 August, 2014
Its footballing lunacy to sack our new manager, ignore the lunatics
Pogmathonyahun
The Polish are amazing folk.
But now we can’t even go there without experiencing a hun rozzer just being, well, that they are.
If you miss the train, order a handcar from BMCUW, they come with drivers if you order them BMCUW’s Wonderful Railway :))
big wavy,
But keep the board, they are the lifeblood of Celtic now, right?
THE GREEN MAN
My opinion of PL is long-standing and well-known. He should have stuck to his original remit and left policy decisions at playing level to the experts.
Same with decisions like the GB,stewarding/policing,UEFA. These were for the chairman to make.
His was to steady the ship and bring the money in from outside.
LIONROARS67
Agreed,bud.
It may,down the line,prove to have been the correct decision,but right now it isn’t!
Went to bed last night. MONEYBALL tucked in tight under pillow. Wakes up this fine morning. Still there. I’m a happy Bonus greedy culture man!
MWD says AYE
Lennons passion, never liked her pies either.
The “Ronny must go ” mantra is picking up a bit of steam here. I’m just wondering where were all these guys in the past couple of months. There was almost universal approval on here for the man. I know cos I was one of the very few who expressed sincere reservations about the appointment and got little or no support. Even though I had reservations, he is here now and must be given a chance. Guys calling for his head are being ridiculous. He will have to tone down his total football philosophy though unless the Board are prepared to spend heavily to bring in more skilfull players. You have to work with the cards you are dealt, sexy football is enticing but first priority is winning games.
I tell you…what a perk being on the board.
Huge salaries and bonuses, with no responsibility for failure. ..just sack the manager if the customers are complaining…what a gravy train for the suits to be on.
All round the trough, brown brogues included.
They are so high and mighty, that the customers dont matter.
And when things go wrong. ..just sack the manager.
And so on..etc
HH
Nice bit of kit….
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pictures-ayr-united-call-up-3942154
As long as there’s always a few CQNers and the odd commoner jiggin with the maneouvres of the board, all is good, eh.
What does the illegal internment and harassment of a few young Celtic Supporters matter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs2kFrGluKs
Is it just me, or would dawn raid on young boys have been frowned upon anywhere, regardless of the crime. It upsets me that this issue seems to be an aside here, and the plc’s involvement in it. But mibbes I’m just a bit naieve.
#cuespellchecks
I view Legia only slightly ahead of the likes of Aberdeen/Motherwell, if we had to beat Aberdeen or Motherwell three nil in a home game I would be pretty confident we could do it.
That is the basic fact – Win three nil and we go through, an early goal at home and we will be flying especially on a euro night.
Keep the faith, don’t lose the head!
Vaultbhoy
That would certainly inspire a future talented manager to join Celtic. Lose your first meaningful game and the pitchforks are out and the cowardly Bored will sack you.
Laughable really.
pfayrsupportsweeoscar
Berget was a disgrace.
Indeed he was, a debut on a par with Duwei”s.
Of course, every player bar McGregor was a failure.
Wonder how a team that went for yonks without conceding shipped 4 going on 7 against moderate opposition ? Wonder why Kayal was a sub . If the new manager claims to be a thinker, then he should watch DVDs of Costa Rica and learn how to defend . What is worrying is why so many players were so bad on the night. If they have no respect for the new manager then there are big troubles at mill !
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
08:33 on 1 August, 2014
Aye, might get that strip…. Quite fancy it ;-)))
corkcelt @ 08:32
Some is genuine concern, but some is spin imo. Set up for a fall if it happens. Every maneouvre that comes from CP, is the board are not to be blamed. When you open your eyes to is, it’s disturbingly obvious. For proof, review last 2 years treatment of the support by the rozzers and CP. Underline “proof”.
lennon’s passion
07:59 on 1 August, 2014
DELIA OUT KNOW
Delia Who? Smith? What does she know?
ARCHDEACONSBENCH
Brilliant the way the reporter milked it for all it was worth!
Not just one or two sample photos for him,oh no.
He went for the full monty (sorry!)
BMCUW,
As much as I like that particular strip now, …..
Thank God our PLC have the decency to keep the suggestiveness to a reasonable level.
But fair play to Ayr. Might drive over there to catch a came some day……
cheerleadersdeservealivingwagetoocsc
BMCUWP
Ive already wheeled the virtual guillotine onto the blog.
Guess who is first for the virtual chop.
I remain vigilant:)
HH
FFM said:
GCT,
I haven’t read back on this convo you’re referring to with Mags, but surely the chat was about contract negotiation, and not someone asking for a wage increase while bound by a circa Million pound contract. You surely know this Tom, FFS. It sounds like you’re deflecting.
So you haven’t read back, and decided to have a guess as to what the conversation was about?
And get it completely arse over tit.
So let me do your work for you.
———————————————————————————-
Margaret McGill
22:58 on
31 July, 2014
Watt was jettisoned because he asked for more money.
Period
———————————————————————————-
Tom McLaughlin
00:23 on
1 August, 2014
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.
———————————————————————————-
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?
———————————————————————————-
Tom McLaughlin
07:34 on
1 August, 2014
Margaret McGill –
You said Tony Watt was shown the door for asking for more money.
I reminded you that Tony had 2 years left on his contract, so how would he go about asking for more money.
Your response was that Tony was sold for 1.2m so he couldn’t have been rubbish and that I should go away and bile my heid.
I made no comment about his abilities or lack of them. I merely asked you to explain how a footballer with 2 years left of a 3 year contract could ask for more money.
———————————————————————————-
FFM –
As you can see, it was Mags who was asserting that Tony was punted because he asked for more money, not me.
I merely raised the fact that he had 2 years left on his 3 year contract.
Happy to oblige ya lazy bassa :-)
goldstar10,
Your point’s not clear. Are you saying the PLC sold the job cunningly to Rony while planning to make him the fall guy when it went wrong, or are you saying he’s stupid?
Zbyszek
Morning – my source wasn’t the DR, it was a first hand witness who was there.
I understand it wasn’t too serious, but it did happen
FFM
In much the same way that a journeyman player is unlikely to turn down Celtic because he isn’t good enough,neither was Ronny.
Plus,I think he reckons he IS good enough.
But after Wednesday,he has less time to prove it than was previously the case.
pogmathonyahun aka laird of the smiles
08:13 on 1 August, 2014
Glad to hear you enjoyed your time and your welcome.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Gary67 @ 08:43
I’ve never particularly liked anything “Lennon’s Passion” has to say, so don’t even know what point he made, but you are making an issue of either a spelling mistake, or a mistype.
Either way, you find that important.
As a Celtic Supporter, (you like the Board, I think?) you think that’s worth discussing today?
Not the dwindling support, the treatment of the supporters, harassment & intimidation of their children many of whom aren’t going now because of it.
Do I need to repeat the feckin list of serious issues that are ignored here?
FFM –
Tony Watt signed a new 3 year contract in the summer of 2013. It was due to expire in the summer of 2016. That’s 2 years away. See, I even do the maths for you.
Why would a player who has been out on loan for a year, and has been a fringe player who made a few substitute appearances and a couple of starts, be in negotiation for an increased contract after 1 year of his 3 year contract?
I have posted nothing but facts on this, ie his contract period, which is in the public domain. It is only you and Mags who are making things up with no evidence.
And you accuse ME of deflection?
ffm – i’m the only conspiracy theorist in the village)
08:53 on 1 August, 2014
No I’m not a big fan of the board and my response was to the stupidity of calling for the sacking our manager after three games.
BMCUWP
Robespierre….he went too far as well
Liked to lord it over the sanscullotes, but the locals get fed up with his aristocratic ways, and honoured him with a date with Madam Guillotine.
Hee Hee:)
HH
THE GREEN MAN
Guillotining’s too guid fur him,it’s a guid kick up the arse he needs (in suitable French accent)
Statler GCT @ 08:47,
Listen you, you tram loving Tunnock’s tea-cake eating Murrayfield ST holding east coat clown…ing around, where’s the solicitor shop, ooooh, let’s not go to Leith, it’s full of ruffians, soap-dodging, Granton flat-letting big radge.
Majcay told me it was okay to call you all this.
Love x
Been reflecting why I’m so gutted by The result the other night…?
There’s nothing that unites Celtic fans more than our shared resistance to historical persecution. That’s why many of us have revelled in the demise of the key perpetrators.
The odds were stacked against us against us again on Thursday but what has really got to me is that there were no external influences to blame. This was an inside job. We were ‘sent to the crease with a bat broken by our own board’ to paraphrase ..
That’s why I’m particularly gutted. That’s why I feel as a support we have reached the tipping point…
The Board need to wise up.
I know it’s hasty but Thursday’s result confirms to me my initial gut feel on both Ronny and Johnny… Neither are likely to last long IMO.
FFM –
Anyway, after the shock of Wednesday night, I am coming back to normal, gradually.
I’ll be at Murrayfield with 9 members of my family and will be cheering on the Bhoys, more in hope than expectation.
Got a busy day today enjoying my retirement. Off to the caravan for a week. Catch you later my mhan.
The – upside and the – downside.
The Upside.
__________
Wednesday at Murrayfield could well be the setting for a night of a, magical entry for RD into Celtic folklore. Yes, I think that the Celtic will blow away Legia and do what they have to which will be correctly heralded as one the ‘great’ Celtic nights. RD certainly disny strike me as being the muppet that he has been painted since the other night. I may be wrong of course(there’s a 1st time for everything :) eh?
The Downside
____________
If, I do get it wrong and, we blow it in an embarrassing manner then, maybe it will be a bit of ‘karma’ that, a Celtic manager has been denied the experience of the CL adventure and, how much of a reminder will it be for Fergus McCann when he’s back to ‘fly the flag’ that, things are as ‘he’ left them….a Celtic management team win the League then, have the cheek to ask for the financial backing for a, ‘realistic’ attempt at making a fist of an effort in the goup stages as well as domestically, only for the manager to have to leave?
For Neil Lennon read – Wim Jansen.
Have Celtic ever strengthend from a position of strength apart form MO’N’s second season?
The ‘bored’ arent driving Celtic FC to a ‘slow car crash’ no, it’s not them….it’s their apathetic fans were, the rebels are few. Sad but, true.
Lifes too short, bye.
BMCUW @ 08:51,
I can’t disagree with anything you said there – but I also can’t see where that makes him wrong. I expect that’s your point. I agree, next week will give us a good idea about Rony, and the team….but again, these days I find it necessary to caution due to the ongoing blame game that CQN has become, if they management team and squad put in a Barca-esque performance, which of them will cop the blame for the lack of goals being scored.
Tram Season Card Holder @ 08:54,
Are you still going on about Tony Watt? He’s not a Celtic player anymore ?!?
TOM McLAUGHLIN
Enjoy yer wee break,mate.
Maybe you should follow this fella’s example and rent yer place out in Edinburgh as FFM suggests.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/residents-fury-pensioner-parks-ancient-3946023