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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Murdochbhoy, I think that for the return game we have to stick with Ronny’s vision, rather than be pragmatic – we need to shake Legia, early, and we have nothing to gain by not going for it. The away leg was the time for pragmatism, and he got it wrong. However, I think that Legia will score no matter which way we play.
More generally, can I point out that one of our previous managers, a Mr John Stein, lost 3 of his first 4 League games (including a 6-2 defeat to Falkirk). Mr Stein went on to do a reasonable job. At this stage, calling for Ronny’s head is hysteria. He may be great or he may be a dud (or more likely, somewhere in the middle), but we just don’t know as yet.
Gary67 @ 08:55
Apols. My post to you was out of order. I’m just getting tetchy and sweaty palmed at today’s on-coming onslaught of plc adoration which is usually accompanied by blaming anything wrong on the paying supporters, the players, and/ or the management team. Anything but the board.
Apologies to you.
FFM –
Haven’t been on a tram yet. Might make that a first next Wednesday as I noticed it almost takes you to your seat in Murrayfield.
I have a bus pass though, being 60. Been on 3 buses. Great service. Has to be the best bus service in Britain, bar none.
Have only driven through Leith since my return.
The Festival has just kicked-off. Got a few comedy shows lined up plus a couple of Blues shows.
Hope I don’t catch something.
It’s barry this retirement ken?
See ya.
Before I go I’d just like to give the manager my best wishes for Wednesday, I hope he makes all the right decisions and gets the result we all want.
murdochbhoy – the eternal optimist
doc
23:01 on 31 July, 2014
Maggie, still disagree, I am, generally, happy, ok last night was a nightmare, but I am ok with how the club is going, I never want to see any Hun support at CP ever again,ever. I lift my erchie for no one:-)
What I want I may never get, Celtic out of the authority of the SFA.
But that is what I want……
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I could not agree with you more ………. Their demise has been a source of great joy to me…… keep their hatred / bile in the ‘history’ books …….
Very disappointed to see Neil Lennon being quoted all over this morning’s MSM. Previous Celtic managers did not criticise him after Ross County, Utrecht, Inverness, Morton or Barcelona. A little tact and consideration should have been demonstrated. Maybe he is pitching for a job with the MSM or as a Scottish TV pundit? or perhaps he was mis-quoted :>)))
Clashcitybhoy. I knew your source was not DR. I trust you and trust your source. I only said I could not find any clues here, in the press, internet. My guess is it was nothing where you need police in action. Whatever this was, they were idiots.
It seems some posters are very disapointed the following hasnt taken place
Sack the board
Neganon new club president
Celtic appoint new management team, pay millions to release all existing squad players
Celtic offer new management team 200 million to buy complete new squad
Management team in on 6th June, first tie in C/L qualifiers 15th July
Missed anything ?
Apricale
I wonder if Ronny underestimated Legia, based on their poor form leading up to the game v us? It was a very brave ( and as it turned out, very wrong) line up. If that is the case, I can live with it. What is more concerning was continuing with his offensive strategy when we were 2 1 down and a man short. 1 2 would have seen us heavy favourites to qualify.
Having said all of that I have heard enough from him to sway me towards the fact he will get it right, IF, he has the correct players at his disposal. That will mean bringing in some new faces. Will he get that opportunity?
Way to early for calls for his head. Let’s see what the Europa league ( probably) brings in respect of performance and tactics.
The only way he will be fired early is if he loses the dressing room and a few league games early doors. I can’t see that happening.
Bigyinmilan Thank you for your email. Will write proper answer during the weekend,
What I struggle to comprehend is that given the Qualifiers/CL is the very buzz that the fans relish, given that we have a new manager and only sign one player who has not played regular competitive football, why did we not stick to the systems that the team are familiar with?
The changes that the new Manager wants to introduce should have been introduced gradually whilst recognising that a number of existing players may not be suitable for the new system. There were too many lost sheep on Wednesday night and the Shepherd looked lost as well.
We can turn it around but we must play a system that the players are familiar with and then when the SPFL comes around start adapting to the new system.
HH
ffm – i’m the only conspiracy theorist in the village)
09:09 on 1 August, 2014
No worries.
Why is it we always see unfamiliar monikers following a defeat …..strange that, eh? ….. Bless them….
I think the Europa League, if that’s where we are, will be good for us and good for Ronny.
It will give him a full year, including a good few European challenges, to work on the squad and instill his own methods.
I would be a lot more confident going into CL qualifiers with the management team having had a year to nurture the squad, with some vital Euro experience thrown in.
I’d prefer to hit the Europa League from a 3rd spot CL group, but if we have to get there via the play-off, it won’t be the end of the world, as long as Ronny is allowed to do his job and is supported by the board.
Interesting times ahead.
lionroars67
Yeah. Lennon’s passion wants Delia Smith ‘out’ :)
Maybe she’s not from Norfolk after all…..
…..and bless the smsm, who do not conceal their delight very well following a defeat for The Famous Glasgow Celtic……
Guys,
Disaster day + 2 and still analysing Wednesday ?
Forget it I say. No great analysis. The manager had a system in mind and the players completely and utterly screwed it up.
Now the system may have been too much in the first instance, too much too soon but no system in the world can replace a team incapable of keeping possession and showing any sign of composure. We froze and 4-1 was a lucky result.
Next wednesday is set up for a barnstormer. I haven’t given up hope.
What Neil Lennon has actually said bears little relation to what is being headlined on Newsnow.
Don’t fall for the headline. Read the article before slating the man.
Celtic face a tough task to overcome a 4-1 deficit next week in the return leg against Legia Warsaw next Wednesday at BT Murrayfield Stadium.
Manager Ronny Deila believes that with the fans behind the team anything is possible; “We still have a chance if we go to Murrayfield and give everything and have the supporters behind us, which I know we will. We will try everything we can to win the game.”
Tickets for the 2nd Leg of our UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round against Legia Warsaw are now on general sale.
General Sale Details
Tickets are priced at £22 for adults, £12 for concessions and £7 for kids under 13 for non-Season Ticket holders.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.celticfc.net/tickets, via our booking line on 0871 226 1888 (option 1, option 1)*, or at the Celtic Ticket Office.
Season Ticket Holder Details
Season Ticket holders can still take advantage of the exclusive offer available to them where they can purchase up to four tickets at reduced prices; £20 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for kids under 13.
Season Ticket holders are only available in the Ticket Office or on our enquiry line on 0871 226 1888 (option 1, option 2)* and must be purchased before 1pm on Tuesday 5th August.
Away Fans
Home based Legia Warsaw supporters will be able to purchase tickets in the North Stand for this match, from the Celtic Ticket Office only. Further details on these sales arrangements will be confirmed on Friday afternoon.
Ticket Office Opening Hours
Please note our extended opening hours at the Ticket Office over the weekend;
Friday, 9:30am til 5pm
Saturday, 9am til 1pm
Sunday, 10am til 2pm
Monday 9:30am til 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am til 5pm
Together we can do it. Buy your tickets now.
Storm the car park like that. DELIA stupid predictable text. Let’s be having you.
DEILA OUT
Been spewing for a few days. Now when I look at it another Cup game. 2-1 down ten men , two minutes to go and we lose two more. Ok result to woe in two minutes. Had a talk with a Spurs mate this evening. He seriously didn’t think that a drop to the euro league was a bad thing. Might give Ronny a chance to build a team and get some success for Celtic. Still think we can score at Murrayfield but win lose or draw Celtic still have a massive season ahead. Wish I was as lucky as some to be able to see the hoops for a season. Hail Hail.
From oor Phil…..
Interesting times at Sevco
7 Replies
This week has seen some interesting developments in the Sevco saga.
The Union of Fans showed a firm grasp of the situation when they called out the company/club/celestial entity on the future of Murray Park.
They also correctly pointed out that currently RIFC does not have enough working capital to compete the season.
As it stands now I understand that there are five bills outstanding and two of them are now critically overdue.
The total bad news is in the region of £600,000.
If these bills are not paid then it might be a challenge to keep the lights on.
Payroll must be met this week and it may require some of the major shareholders to make up the shortfall.
Chairman David Somers was very strong about Murray Park being too valuable to sell.
I was surprised at this and I can only reason that I was misinformed by a usually excellent source as I had been told that Mr Somers and Mr Graham Wallace had signed off on documentation about the training ground last weekend.
My understanding was that a decision had been taken to sell Murray Park.
However, this is clearly not the case.
Sometimes sources get things wrong.
It happens.
However the financial logic of selling Murray Park is inescapable.
For the avoidance of doubt RIFC/Sevco is a loss making business with no credit line from a bank.
Moreover, the cash reserves that had been generated on the AIM by the Initial Public Offering (IPO) have been used up.
Good news on the auditors front is that Deloittes seem to have accepted that that the current regime are in no way to blame for the shambles that Charlie left behind.
However, the man with the big hands does remain a player at RIFC.
There is a finely spun web of companies across the planet that seem to only exist as a conduit for onerous contract cash out of the company that Charlie floated on the AIM in December 2012.
On that matter I would not be surprised if some of the major shareholders who bought in at IPO took their grievances to court.
I understand that when Malcolm Murray was the RIFC chairman he was required to sign lots and lots of documents.
It must have been difficult to keep track of everything at the time.
However I am sure he was always very diligent and focused when attending to such important paperwork.
That is what makes him such a top class businessman and highly respected in the Square Mile.
The guy that currently drives the bus is finding it tough and Graham Wallace is rarely in Glasgow these days and I’m not sure if he renewed the lease on his accommodation there.
If he decides that he has had enough then the RIFC board should do all that they can to secure the long term services of Philip Nash.
If Wallace were to leave then his instinct would be to follow him out the door.
However if Nash took over then Sevco would have the most able CEO in Scotland.
At the moment the man who turned Liverpool FC around is very much now in the “Nerlinger Role”.
Subsequently, all transfer business now goes through him and the senior people in the football department are very clear that Philip Tudor Nash is calling the shots.
I expect more canny transfer dealings from him in the near future, but not all of this shrewd trading will be to the liking of Sevco’s iconic manager.
The fixture machine has been kind to the two year old club, but they will need to continue to be lucky.
Loss making.
No credit line.
No cash reserves.
Interesting times.
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This entry was posted in Categories on July 30, 2014 by Phil Mac Giolla Bhain.
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7 thoughts on “Interesting times at Sevco”
Keighley Bhoy
July 30, 2014 at 6:13 pm
How on God’s earth can Murray Park be to valuable to sell, unless it’s built on some enormous oil reserves or they have shale gas under their Brown brogues then surely it’s the most expensive luxury in the Sevco saga, with finances being so tight if only Murray Park could have produced a young starlet that they could sell for a few million and keep the lights on for another 6 months. In what capacity is Charlie Bhoy still involved at Sevco, and unfortunately for the Klan anytime money is eventually raised then Charlie Bhoy will be taking his cut via those onerous long-term contracts his friends are signed up to.. Phil there’s several of our CELTIC SC traveling over to your beautiful county in September, we are heading to Bundoran on the 25th, would be a privilege to meet you if your available, hoping Bundoran have plenty of Jelly n ice cream.. HAIL HAIL, KTF
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jimmybee
July 30, 2014 at 5:50 pm
The end isnt going to happen to what people call sevco.
It has a top class guy there in mr nash who im sure doesnt care about past history.His job is to secure for the future their will be no lights out for him but mr mccoist will be away by xmas if results dont go his way.
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Ed Paisley
July 30, 2014 at 4:58 pm
You have to hand it to Charles Green – he seems to have stitched up all of these “suits” and yet he lives happily in Normandy apparently retaining the respect of his business colleagues and contacts.
What a guy! And he got more than a canni. Bag o’ Tudor crisps for his efforts!
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bawsman
July 30, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Phil, are they actually at liberty to sell/lease Murray Park? Is there not some ownership of the complex outwith their control?
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Felpan
July 30, 2014 at 3:34 pm
Following a club called after the one that died. Living the lie. Leading Scotland into the champions league. Living the dream. Always have been, always will be, One Celtic, Lead don’t follow.
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Martinboy
July 30, 2014 at 3:27 pm
Despite what you say Phil ,Sevco are still going, even recruiting players. The season book strike might be a red herring in that a lot of fans will pay as you go , so the season book money will filter slowly into their bank . The main players at ibrox now are wise to the world of finance and must have a plan to keep the cash cow going. They have maintained administration would not happen and probably know how this will play out to their desired endgame.
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paulsatim
July 30, 2014 at 3:08 pm
They have MIBs though if the fixtures are posing problems
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Lennon’s Passion
The spelling mistake was the least stupid thing about your post sir.
Behave yourself.
Tom just read your more eloquent words. Agree. Not the end of the World. HH
twists n turns, I’m reasonably positive towards Ronny, although as you say, he go it very wrong at 2-1. Also at 0-1 and 1-1: at 1-1 we would have been hot favourites to go through. I think that you are right, although I wonder if Celtic thought that they were better than they are, rather than the other way around – but the difference is unimportant. The point is that we had several points in the match when we could have changed our game and come away with a result.
It has been obvious for some time that Celtic need to be able to play to more than one style;we can’t play every week against an SPL team parking the bus, then expect to prosper in Europe. Unfortunately, the players Celtic have are not good enough to perform at both levels. We will not be able to buy our way out of this predicament, even if we wanted to. To put it in perspective, the big breakthrough team of last year, Atletico Madrid, has an estimated squad value of £250m, as against Celtic’s value of £45m (http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/atletico-madrid/startseite/verein/13 – and I know that these figures are not accurate). Legia are listed lower than that (£18m), but they are still in our ballpark rather than the Big Beasts ballpark.
so, what nonsense is supercoach saying today?
stokes on his way? at last
balde on his way? should have never been here. Lennon
should be sued for this one.
the only real striker griffiths, who scores goals
on a regular basis on his way?
smile-awhile pukki staying?
supercoach is clueless.
this is only gonna get worse.
FFM –
Delia out?
Norfolk Enchants.
http://www.celticfc.tv/freeview?video=1683
Getting to BT Murrayfield Stadium
1 Aug, 2014
We take a look at the venue for Celtic’s upcoming fixture through in Edinburgh.
RRDH – All away ? Says who ?
We’re in a period of transition. Give the guy a break. 3 competitive games, 1 of which a stinker. Our support are sounding like spoilt brats now.
He wouldn’t be the first manager to fail at ECL qualification and won’t be the last.
Ten feet away from me is Malky McKay supping a large latte from Costa coffee and clearly without a club. I’ll ask him if he fancies coming to a place that sacks managers after 10 minutes ?
Morning Celts…
If only this is true…..
Reports from Belgium say Sporting Club Lokeren are interested in signing Celtic forward Amido Balde..
The Belgian outfit have just sold their top striker and are now in the market for a new one. The club are aware of Amido from his time on loan in the Belgian Pro League with Cercle Brugge during the 11/12 season.
Amido Balde has failed to make a big impact at Celtic since his arrival. The player coming on as a sub more often than not under the previous regime, sometimes getting among the goals but never looking confident.
Neil Lennon described him as a very raw talent, which is probably football talk for he needs to improve drastically.
Celtic would be receptive to an offer for the big striker and reports suggest that Lokeren may be willing to pay out 2 million Euros for his services.
If an offer does come in for Amido then it’s in his and Celtic’s best interests to part company on a permanent basis. A loan move would only see his value depreciate next season. Although we have seen in the past Celtic are happy to cut ties with players they have paid a bit of cash for after showing Mo Bangura the door last season.
big wavy
09:51 on 1 August, 2014
Normally, I’m very positive by nature, but I cannot understand why a new manager, just in the door, would leave 6 first team (Euro) regulars out of the team…
Stokes
Griffiths
Izzy
Kayal
Biton
Boerighter (spelling?…hahahahahahaha)
……and starts a player he has just signed……!!!!????
big wavy
weve been in a period of transition for nearly 4 years now.
ive been round the block more than a few times mate.
I can only see what I can see. im certainly not a spoiled brat.
ive come to realise ill probably never see a mcstay or Larsson
at our club again in its present state.
ask him…at least he will set out a team properly.
a mistake always stays a mistake.
I don’t think im wrong from what im seeing and hearing
I would love him to make my feelings about it all being wrong by becoming a success
To be honest, I think it’s highly unfair we have to compete against teams who have clearly got a higher level of fitness than us.
As bad as we were…the last two goals were just tiredness. I knew as soon as Efe was going off we were going to concede late goals.
As for downsizing…. Celtic are trying to swim upstream. I am sure the board has made errors (like anybody) but much of Celtic’s predicament is down to the wider world of football. So much money is being shoveled into the hands of the 20th team that the level of player we used to be able to attract is now out our reach.
For heavens sake, parachute payments have meant that teams like WBA, West Ham, Newcastle United and QPR can maintain their squad and bounce back into the big money straight away.
A source of my frustration growing up as a Celtic fan was that we have never consolidated from a position of power.
Big Billy, Wim, MO’N, WGS and NL have all suffered from lack of funds when on top.
If ever we were to stride ahead it would be now.
I am not one for bashing the board (behave!) but this over prudent style means that we are falling way behind in Europe and May not be insurmountable domestically in the short-medium term.
I will leave the latter to the conspiracy theorists.
starry plough
Goooooooooooood morning Sir :)))
Off to ML4 on Mam duty, me and the wee mhan with our Hoops on.
Till later all
Can anyone really blame Neil Lennon for speaking out ?……..he is probably still mourning ….it will only now be sinking in what he has lost….or taken away!
Remember not so long ago he was saying that he needed four players for the new season……
Can you imagine sitting in a meeting getting told who your number two is going to be !!!!!……a guy you probably have never met before…..is this not the biggest gerfuy ever??!!!!
Bad enough players your not that fusssed about or at least way down on the list being brought in……but your no 2 !!!!!
I would call it constructive dismissal…..
I have a wee feeling the boardroom thought time for a change…….I think too many embarrassing headlines for some………No more cupping of ears …no more grabbing sally by the throat…..no more attacks at tynecastle…..
We get somebody that is a million miles away from all that………and do you no what ??
He is a deep thinker !!….a academic !!…..likes great attacking football (don’t we all )….scientific annalisis !!….
I know one thing ….the SPFL will be a lot closer this year……no worries about unbeaten all year this year………No 11 or 12 games without losing a goal this year (same players BTW ….strange that )……..
Deliberate ??…….who knows……but very sickening!!!!
67Heaven
My reading is that he got frustrated with the inability of certain players to play a system, look the part, be his identikit and went with someone he knows. I’ve done it in many new leadership roles – go for a tried and trusted to prove a point. Only works of course if that person performs but not panning Berget after 1 game.
Maybe the others are struggling with his vision ?