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!
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JIMMYNOT PAUL..winning is the important thing but scoring a goal in a League Cup final against Hibs was something special….I used to tell Tam G that he had never done that…he had only scored goals in European Cup finals?
Has anyone seen Bada Bing and Jobo Baldie in the same room at the same time?
Ach, my question was a wasted opportunity anyway; Mr Craig – you have changed and influenced millions of lives by being a Lion! God bless you for that.
Hi Jim
Caught your interview with John Paul for the CQN podcast just yesterday. It was brilliant and had a few laugh out loud moments. I was really interested in the talk around your diaries from the time travelling with club in Europe. That was geniuous and probably something even you at the time couldn’t have imagined would be of such importance with the Lisbon’s Lions success just about to happen.
What made you initially begin writing those diaries and are we ever likely to get the chance to read them in full?
MWD
WHAT IS THE STARS…..could I introduce myself….Jim Craig…Celtic 1965-72….7 League medals, 4 Scottish Cup, 3 League Cup and one European Cup winners medals…also a dentist from October 1966 to December 2016…father of five, grandfather of nine…that’s me…and now making my second appearance on CQN!
AULD HEID….you did the right thing in doing all that practicing…and every young player who is coming good had done the same…..you could say that persistence beats resistance if you know what I mean….in my experience, it’s orange!
MARSPAPA…..as regards the smiling dentist I always wore a mask..and thanks for the comments
JC thank you.
CELTARELLA…..biggest regret was losing out in the World Club Championship to Racing Club……sorry, I have retired!
Jim
Genuine pleasure to have you on CQN.
I know you were on once before … did anyone ask you? If not, are you?
I know you aren’t, but it would be rude not to ask (its a CQN rite of passage)
And ignore that WITS … he’s mad, that one!
:)
Hi Jim, After the beating the great Leeds Utd home and away in the European cup semi final was it perhaps over confidence that was the main reason why Celtic lost the game against Feyenoord in 1970?
JIM.who was the ugliest burd you ever pulled a tooth out of.
The Exiled Tim……as my cousin is a referee in the Scottish game I can’t really agree with your comments…we do need to help them though by using video technology and punishing a misdemeanor IMMEDIATELY by the use of the sin-bin… they seem to work in rugby
MOONBEAMSWD……the prompt to write the notes came from one of my uncles and it was a great idea…if you want to read them you can buy the book from CQN Bookstore.co.uk or the Celtic shops
Jim Craig on 6th December 2017 7:35 pm
Indeed.
Thanks for responding Jim.
Last November I was in Montevideo and visited the Estadio Centenario. This May I was in Lisbon and visited Estadio Nacional. Apparently something happened at these 2 stadiums 50 years ago.
MIKE IN TORONTO……definitely not although when I lived in Bearsden and attended Mass, Lorenzo Amaruso, Sergio Porrini and Marco Negri were in close proximity…how the world has changed!
JIm
was jinky the hardest working player in training ?
JIM.you think the penalty in LISBON was bad ,have a look at LIVERPOOL penalty 3 mins in.
Jim Craig
Fair enough, I could have worded it better, still sad that 50 years on the score more than the oppo is relevent.
I will wager that the sfa will resist video tech for as long as they possibly can.
HH
HANKRAY….Yes we were over-confident but the Boss also made an error in team selection….I was on the bench!
FAVOURITE UNCLE…the penalty was a terrible decision at the time BUT it had the effect of letting them go back into the defensive formation they loved… that gave us the ball and most of the possession so it proved to be a stroke of genius by Craig after all!
Good evening Jim.
Which ,if any, of our development players do you see as stars of the future for us?
P.S being an auld yin I had the privilege of seeing you play many times.
Mr Craig, great to have you on here. Is there a Celtic player from the last 20 years who could have been a contender for a spot in the 67 team?
Oh
I see. Your that Jim Craig !!
Thats all right so
Again..thanks for everything
*your tut tut.. You’re
Hi Jim, first, thanks, my nephews have great teeth, and you have credit to take for that!
I watched the Bill Shankly documentary recently, thought it very interesting, was Bill Shankly someone the players saw in Lisbon, or did he just spend time with Jock Stein?
Just interested in whether the Manager kept you from outside influences, or encouraged it, i.e. learning/being coached from other sources than himself?
Jim Craig,
Really looking forward to reading your book.
May I ask if you think there is a place in the modern game for a Sports Psychologist? I feel that our players have a different mindset when faced with a European tie.
Many thanks in anticipation.
HH.
Jim, as a defender, thoughts on KT’s performances this season. I have noticed that this season he is a bit more hesitant going forward and more than often stops when in full flow and plays a pass back into defense. Is this a result of the opposition stopping him or direction from Brendan and the coaching staff? Thanks CB
Glenda…..I would not like to single out any specific young player but I do believe that the system for bringing lads through is working well and I expect to see more in the future
I would definitely concur, Jim.
Given the mega millions that some clubs have to spend, ‘grow your own’ is definitely the way to go!
Thanks Jim for reply. Huge error by Jock.
Jim,
Thank you for all you did for our Club.
1967. When did the magnitude of the achievement actually sink in?
HH jamesgang
STAIRHEADRAMMY…no …..because the whole success of the Lisbon team was that it was a ‘team’ where everyone backed each other up and complimented each other. Any newcomer coming in would not necessarily have fitted into the team ethic
Mr Craig, I was seven in 67 and I just want to say thank you for giving us THE golden era.
I can’t speak for anyone else but it changed my life growing up in Drumchapel, gave kids like me confidence to believe we could achieve things, and not just on the football park.
I also have you to thank – obliquely – for curing me of my utter terror of dentists.
I was in agony and refusing to go till my sister told me that if we went to the Dental Hospital on Sauchiehall Street I would be treated by the great Jim Craig.
So of course we went, I walked in and it wasn’t you at all, but the dentist was fine and so was I from then on.
Except with my sister. Never trust a Notre Dame girl.
IHAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY NAME……No I would not say that…I think we all put a shift in
Jim
Thanks for the reply.
Reason I asked Q’s about your diaries was due to you mentioning that you couldn’t put all your tales from your diaries into your book. So for the remaining have you any plans.
Thanks for your reply.
MWD
JIm
I was a tanner baw player who didn’t like getting hurt :)
I think these scientists have been beaten in the race
https://www.cnbc.com/2014/06/16/why-your-future-banana-could-be-orange-.html
A bent orange banana. :)
CAMBHOY…no I don’t think that Kieran is changing his style too much…..sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t
JAMESGANG…..GOOD QUESTION …and the answer is that I don’t know…I would like to take this opportunity, though, to thank the support for giving us such a wonderful year and my thanks to you all for your questions tonight….however ~I will need to go as the Boss is calling …no. that one…my wife! Hail! Hail! And a special thanks to everyone who bought the book
Thanks Jim, if only we could have bottled the ability to generate such a team spirit. We could rule the world!