Let’s be clear: Anderlecht won last night’s the game because they won the tactical battle. (I have not watched this back, so forgive me if there’s a few seconds error) 55 seconds into the game Anderlecht had a 50 second period of unbroken possession, most of it in our half. We knew that early the visitors had an inappropriate levels of time and options.
By contrast, when Celtic got possession, we lacked options. Midfielders and full backs were faced with unattractive choices throughout the night. The familiar triangular patterns we have watched for 18 months existed only in fleeting moments.
Brendan twice tried to change things: initially by pulling Sinclair into the middle, pushing Armstrong left, and then by hooking these two at halftime, and introducing Ntcham and Rogic. The changes at the interval gave Celtic more presence in the centre of the field, but not enough to transform a rank bad performance.
Did you notice we didn’t press in the Anderlecht half? Out of possession, our three at the back became a flat back five as the full backs dropped deep. As a consequence, we allowed Anderlecht time to circulate the ball and build a move. Anderlecht are not a good team (few would get into the Celtic team), so they were unable to win by the necessary margin, but from 55 seconds in, it was evident the Belgians were in command of the most valuable asset in a game: space. Celtic tactics were wrong.
Let me touch on the players for a second, because they were mentioned post-match by Brendan. We watched this same squad stride imperiously around a pitch in Brussels in September. And, with one of two additions, our Invincibles were a European embarrassment under Ronny Deila. Don’t try to kid me these were bad players, who became Invincibles under Brendan, were magnificent in Brussels, but are not good enough for this level now.
This type of thinking is a fallacy. It’s all about the team, not individuals.
We were tactically masterful at Anderlecht, and I suspect did as well as we could have in both games against Bayern Munich. However, we were tactically atrocious in both games against PSG and at home to an Anderlecht, who were on the precipice of becoming the worst team in Champions League history. This is so self-evidently clear I think we are close to some form of group delusion if we don’t acknowledge the fact, and instead look for scapegoats in hoops.
Jim Craig on CQN TONIGHT!!!
Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig, will be on the blog for a chat tonight from around 18:30. Jim has seen it all in his >50 year connection to the club, so tune in and share your thoughts with him.
You can order a signed copy now at CQNBookstore.co.uk and if you would like a personal dedication added just drop an email after placing your order to david@cqnpublishing.co.uk and we’ll get Jim to sort this evening.
All pre-ordered books will be posted first thing Thursday morning.
*JIM CRAIG – RIGHT BACK TO 67, THE LISBON LION DIARY is published this week by CQN Books. You still have time to get a SIGNED copy by ordering at www.cqnbookstore.co.uk and if you would like a personal dedication added to your book by Jim then simply email your massage to david@cqnpublishing.co.uk after ordering and we’ll do the rest!
The book arrives on Wednesday and it is sensational! And if you haven’t done so already, listen to Jim Craig on the CQN Podcast below.
You will love it!
371 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- »
Paul67 etal.
My take on the game last night was that Brendan wanted Celtic to qualify for the last 32 . He achieved his aim, the game wasn’t that great to watch but we qualified, our defence are incapable at playing 5-4-1, when we play that formation we get beat, and usually by a big margin.
But all in all we succeeded in our quest, 5-4-1 is a very hard way to play a game of football, and it look’s like we have a long way to go to start playing the defensive game,it’s a foreign game to us,we attack and are very good at it,but defending we leak goals a transfer window is coming up and I hope that we get a couple of good defenders in.
There’s something wrong in the state of Denmark, two articles of late questioning the manager.
Seems a lot of the bed wetters concur.
i thought BR’s comments on Celtic TV after the game were spot on. He’s said on every occasion that the players need belief at this level, so im at a loss as to why some accuse him of not believing or instilling belief in them.
We are no where near being a champions league team, we have one player who is and several that could be but the rest arent up to it, thats the reality.
Mbodji and Spajic totally nullified Moussa Dembele. I would go as far as to describe their performances as ‘impressive’.
Both of them would walk into this Celtic team. To say otherwise is just ridiculous.
I don’t think anyone , players or management, really knew how to approach last night .
Beating another team away from home 3-0 normally suggests that you’re significantly better than they are and that allows you to play the home leg pretty much any way that you want, defend the lead or attack at will.
What was exceptional, maybe even unique in my experience, is that the 3-0 away result was a freak occurrence in that it hugely exaggerated the gap which apparently existed between the teams.
It was clear last night , as Paul says, within minutes that they were a completely different proposition from the first game and we weren’t ready for it.
I’m reluctant to be too hard on anyone for this – the chances of a repeat situation are virtually nil.
Not saying it was good – far from it but the only criterion last night was to qualify and we did.
Or maybe I’m being too hard on our players and we’re now reaping what was sowed in the horrible beatings we’ve taken in the last couple of years. Hammerings like that would affect the confidence of the strongest minds. Brendan needs to be a bit more mindful of this in future imo
GO TELL THE SPARTIM on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 1:07 PM
Who is this player? Why wasnt he playing last night?
That difficult second season eh?
I agree that the tactics in the first half were poor. I wrote on here at half time that our defensive ‘shape’ was wrong.
Second half though we were the better team despite conceding. Some better decisions when we broke and we’d have scored one or two. Ntcham was a big factor but the shape of the team was more like we saw in Europe with NFL, GS and MON. As an in game switch if shape I thought it was decent.
However I agree that we have not got it right in Europe this season. Outside the top teams from Spain, Germany, France, England (less so) and perhaps Italy I think we can go a few rounds in the EL if we get it right.
fieldofdrams
Of course they may have been aided and abetted by Moussa’s hold up play.
The two occasions when he bucked the trend and took the ball beautifully he proceeded to make a bit of a [fall on the] backside of it…
What I really came on to say was that I’ve given up looking at the Daily Record online for advent. Incredibly easy and massively rewarding.
Treat yourself. But no need to thank me. I do the lords work in this deed…..
GO TELL THE SPARTIM on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 1:07 PM
If there’s a lack of self-belief in the players then Brendan needs to take some responsibility for it after the beatings we’ve taken in Europe when he’s been in charge.
Starry 1101
“Rips my knitting to see how the SFA have systematically undermined the game here..”
should read “Rips my knitting to see how the SFA have systematically undermined the game here for the benefit of one club”
There FTFY.
HH
Been reading back on last night and this morning. Some strange views IMHO.
Yes, last night was areality check but over 2 games we were better than Anderlecht. We played poorly for 25 minutes over there but still beat them 3-0. We were dire in the first half last night but they couldn’t break us down effectively. Craig Gordon had a couple of good saves but that’s what he’s paid for. We are through and they ain’t.
With N’tcham and Rogic we were much improved in the secon half and created more chances than them. It took a fluky own goal to give them their victory. With all cylinders firing, would their players get in our team? Possibly Trebel. Would Henry O displace Forrest or Roberts? Not IMHO.
If we had played to our ability we would have beaten them. They played at the top of their game but weren’t brilliant. Yes we need to strengthen but at the end of the day we don’t need major surgery just a gradual improvement. Brendan Rodgers sees that and he delivered a public “waken up” call to some of the squad last night after the game. Also a note of caution to the expectation of the support.
Someone even suggested that he may see his future elsewhere. Absolute nonsense. He is here to do a job and last night reminded everyone (including the players) that we are still early in Phase 1.
Would I have taken this outcome after the draw? Damn right I would. We punched above our weight and our performance in Anderlecht and against Bayern at Celtic Park showed that.
4 trophies, 67 games unbeaten and into the Europa League. What’s not to like?
KTF
Gents, Moussa is also having a difficult time. He’s a young guy and in many ways still finding his feet (he certainly lost then a few times last night). He is also struggling with injuries.
Still going to be a big big player but recent form suggests he’s also in difficult second season territory. The good news is that he is still scoring despite what I think is a dip in his all round play.
South of Tunis
Yes, there is a lot to be admired about Qarabag, who have overcome tremendous adversity. I am not certain we would have beaten them if we’d played against them in the qualifiers.
RobertTressell on 6th December 2017 1:14 pm
What I really came on to say was that I’ve given up looking at the Daily Record online for advent. Incredibly easy and massively rewarding.
Treat yourself. But no need to thank me. I do the lords work in this deed…..
—————————————————————
Does that mean you’ll have to read it every day during Lent????
FIELDOFDRAMS on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 1:07 PM
Mbodji and Spajic totally nullified Moussa Dembele. I would go as far as to describe their performances as ‘impressive’.
Both of them would walk into this Celtic team. To say otherwise is just ridiculous.
___________________________________________________
OK,I’m ridiculous.
KTF
DAVIDOPOULOS on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 12:57 PM
southside
McInnes’s integrity and credibility are in shreds.
*any cred he had was when on live radio and as manager of St Johnstone he referred tae himself as derek kai johansen and naesurname as the gaffer.
GARY67 on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 11:11 AM
Anderlecht are not a good team (few would get into the Celtic team)
Apart from Dendoncker and Hanni are better than any of our midfielders (sitting and creating respectively) Mbodji and Spajic in central defence are better than any of our central defenders
Very much agree with Gary I would try and buy these 4 players if I was Brendan
Net Net!
Early season objectives met:
Qualify CL group stages
After draw realistic aim is 3rd place and EL qualification last 32
All achieved.
Last night we were on a hiding to nothing!
Brendan post-match “some of our players tonight thought they were CL players…”
Our manager is doing a good job and on track v objectives.
He would do well to keep in mind the words of Jock Stein… around not asking players to do things they cannot do…
Looking forward to last 32 draw on Monday!
VFR8000
Onyekuru would get a start ahead of Sinclair every day of the week at the moment. Dendoncker and Trebel would definitely get in our team, on last nights showing so would Hanni (sp).
Agree re their Centre halves as well, one of them looked far better than ours on the ball
ROBERTTRESSELL on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 1:12 PM
That difficult second season eh?
I agree that the tactics in the first half were poor. I wrote on here at half time that our defensive ‘shape’ was wrong.
Second half though we were the better team despite conceding. Some better decisions when we broke and we’d have scored one or two. Ntcham was a big factor but the shape of the team was more like we saw in Europe with NFL, GS and MON. As an in game switch if shape I thought it was decent.
*exactly and but for a deflection we may have achieved our Dukla result when the Big Mhan parked the bus before anyone knew what that meant. Instead we ended up with an Ajax 0-1 score when the Blessed MON packed the midfield only bringing Lubo on late in the game to help control it. And we also avoided a potential MTK.
We got lucky in the 1st leg vs manager-less Anderlecht.
We got lucky in the LCSF because, the Hibs gk flung two baws in the net.
Midlife crisis tactics get exposed when luck runs oot.
Interesting times ahead.
Why have no stolen trophies been stripped.
Cause awe the season books are Celt, that’s why.
Oh, and because Old Firm tickets at £49 ahead, fly aff the shelves.
Ye couldny write it.
Europa League Trophy Winners 2018…..
…..aye, only if Brendan takes aff his European Scooby Doo! pyjamas ;
Eurochamps67 / Weet Weet Weet…keep it lit fellas HH
……oot.
KevJ..
Midlife crisis tactics get exposed when luck runs oot.
C’mon man, below the belt that one. His tactics may not have worked or the players may not have followed them. I think the latter. Nowt to do with his age.
JIMBO67 on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 11:01 AM
M6BHOY @ 8.40
Sorry for delay in replying – work gets in the way!
What you say is true but I was referring more to the mistakes we make on the pitch. Giving the ball away when under no pressure, failing to hit the target when we have a clear sight of goal and lapses in concentration are all areas we have been poor in for most of the last 45 years. If we finally learned these basics we would be a lot less easy to beat than we are.
Jimbo67
——————————————————————————————————————
You are right to point out that the team is more prone to unforced errors when playing European opposition and they should be able to learn from that. The problem is – if they haven’t learnt to be comfortable on the ball even when under pressure and make more accurate passes then it’s probably already too late for most of them. They are often rushed into bad passes because they are so dependent on their stronger foot. Clever opponents know this so try and force them onto their weaker foot.
I remember in the days of the old Liverpool boot-room when they were looking at potential signings. The first thing they looked for, no matter what position they played in, was can the player make and receive a pass with either foot? If the concensus view was they couldn’t , they moved onto to the next target.
Some of our supporters regard Kieran Tierney as being or approaching world class. This is errant nonsense. He is obviously very good and has immense potential but is so one-footed it is painful. If he works in this area of his game then he could go on to be one of Scotland’s greats but working on our weaknesses is not something we are particularly good at as a rule.
CELTIC40ME on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 1:28 PM
VFR8000
Onyekuru would get a start ahead of Sinclair every day of the week at the moment.
_______________________________________________________
Easy to say at the moment because Sinclair is off form. Onyekuru can’t get in a crap Everton team and isn’t better than an in form Sinclair, Forrest or Roberts.
We were poor last night and that elevated what were IMHO average performers into good Anderlecht performers. When we play to our ability we are a better team than Anderlecht and have better players.
KTF
I thought Onyekuru for all his little darts down the line and one two’s caused very little real damage. Much like Sinclair.
I declare this one a draw…
*Much like Sinclair this season
VFR800
Onyekuru stayed at anderlecht for a season after he signed for Everton in the summer. Work permit issues meant he stayed in Belgium
It wasn’t that long ago when our after Christmas target was to be in the last 16 of the CL. Now apparently its to be in the Europa knock out competition.
Think about that one.
Honesty ! .
“. We have to win here and hope that City do the necessary for us v Shaktar . It’s up to City to decide who they field and how they play . They don’t owe us anything .. Anyway — we Italians are not really in the position where we can complain about cynical , pragmatic and ad hoc things in football ” ..
Maurizio Sarri -Manager of Napoli – media thing before tonight’s Feyenoord v Napoli game.
Asked about the Europa League -he said this –
” I’m only the Manager -ask the owner about that “
CELTIC40ME he still doesn’t replace an in-form Sinclair.
KTF
Barney67 on 6th December 2017 1:56 pm
It wasn’t that long ago when our after Christmas target was to be in the last 16 of the CL. Now apparently its to be in the Europa knock out competition.
======
Last year we had two ‘heavyweights’ in the group stage, same again this year. Reality has to play some part in our ambitions but I think the consensus is we could have given a far better account of ourselves in most of the matches.
HH
For what it’s worth – my view of the game re-posted from late last night / early morning…
First half – certainly one of the worst performances since Brendan arrived.
There clearly was a problem with Stuart Armstrong from the start of the game – not sure whether it was physical or mental. Agree with Jamesgang – Stuart was as far off the pace of the game as I can recall seeing any player since wee Bobby Petta tortured Fernando Ricksen at Celtic Park. Too far off the pace for there not to have been some underlying issue, I think.
His passing was terrible – his first five passes were to Anderlecht players. Coupled with that, he was just not getting back in position to help defend when the ball came back at us – never looked like he was even trying (or perhaps able) to get back in position – players were strolling past him.
Similarly, although not as obvious, Scotty Sinclair was again off the boil, and was not getting back in to help KT with the two-on-one situations he was often faced as a result.
As a result, a few things happened:
1. Broonie had to come across to Celtic’s left hand side several times to cover for Armstrong. Although he did a great job, it badly impacted our defensive shape – either the centre or the right wing became exposed again and again as players shuttled left to cover for Armstrong, or to cover for the player who was covering for Armstrong.
2. KT became really exposed at left back, and couldn’t therefore get up the park in the first half.
3. Boyata was, like Broonie, pulled left and, even when he had the ball, had few options ahead of him (i.e. no Armstrong or Sinclair) – he often was forced to punt long to Moussa who had two large Centre Backs on him for the whole for the first half, so couldn’t hold the ball up, which in turn came straight back at us.
4. Players being pulled left to cover the problems there, I think mainly down to Armstrong and to a lesser extent Sinclair, meant that our right then also became exposed if Anderlecht shifted it across quickly, which they were good enough to do several times.
I was also surprised that Armstrong stayed on the park until half-time – subbing him at 20 minutes wouldn’t have been out of place.
By no means saying he was bad and everyone else was good – clearly that’s not the case. It was obvious, though, that he was so off form that it did have a really significant impact on how the team was able to perform as a unit.
Much better play in the second half.
Ollie brought confidence, speed, aggression, passing accuracy (sometimes) – everything Armstrong lacked tonight.
The change to five at the back – with three in the middle – really tightened up the defensive shape. Forrest played his right-back / wing-back role very well, and linked well with McGregor several times.
Moving Moussa out to the left wing, with Rogic central, worked a lot better than the “Moussa up the middle” tactic had worked in the first half (pity he picked up a knock, although Edouard looked decent again when he came on).
The positional change seemed to free Moussa a bit from the clutches of their two centre backs, and Ollie found him down that wing four or five times in good positions, and that’s where most of our chances in the second half stemmed from – very clever move from Brendan.
Unlucky goal to concede when it did come – although we could have easily conceded two in the first half.
So – rubbish, disjointed first half – mainly, I think, for the reasons above.
Better second half, with some insightful and pragmatic changes by Brendan to bring a bit of relief to a potentially fraught occasion.
Disappointing performance on the night, bad result, good overall outcome.
HH
BGFC
Jim Craig has just been interviewed for Reporting Scotland and Celtic TV at Celtic Park at the press launch of Jim Craig – Right Back to 67, The Lisbon Lions Diary.
He’ll be on CQN this evening from around 6-30pm
All ordered books will be signed this evening and personal deductions added by Jim.
You can still order your signed copy at http://www.cqnbookstore.co.uk and if you want a personal dedication added email me – david@cqnpublishing.co.uk
Celtic’s display last night is the way they have played most of the season. The higher calibre of opposition showed it up more por cierto.
Main issue is that the players just aren’t used to playing at this level.
We can’t complain about giving away OGs in Europe as we’ve been the beneficiary as well this season.
But the Anderlecht forward didn’t connect cleanly, hits Simo and goes past Gordon off the post.
A centimetre left and it wold have hit the post and stayed out. 3 centimetres right and CH would have got a fingertip to it.
January will be interesting.