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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Thanks JIm.
Jim, no questions.
Just a huge thanks to you and the LIONS and the late great Jock Stein!
Memories are a wonderful thing!
God bless!
have seen just a few minutes of the Liverpool game … up 3 after 30 minutes, and missed a few great chances …
their front four, when they are on, are a joy to watch …. I thought Mane was going to be the star for them, but that Salah is a great player … the kind of player I would pay to watch….
Great reading Jim Craig (Legend’s) answers to the questions.
Now looking forward to the programme on BBC 2 at 9 about the Spain and Barcelona legendary World Cup and multiple Champions League- winning centre-back’s greatest games.
MIKE IN TORONTO
Salah is a wonderful player and I believe we could get him next window for about £100,000,000.
:-)
Also watching Liverpool, they are sensational going forward. Both teams are having a go. Spartak were attacking and Liverpool cleared, the ball was fizzed into Salah, he killed it stone
dead with 4 opposition players around him, turned and sped forward. The ball was put out for a throw but the difference between watching that and last night was stark.
Philbhoy … I’ll chip in 20 quid, if that helps!
:)
MIKE IN TORONTO
That’ll be about 2 Canadian dollars then!
:D
When The Wallace clan were staying with my family in May they bought some cornflakes from Sainsbury’s. Their own label ones. They left these with us when they headed back to Australia in June and they have sat there untouched ever since.
The Bhoys prefer the more sugary brands, much to tonight’s guest’s concern. Anyway my wife used the cornflakes this evening to make chocolate crispy cakes and the former dentist thoroughly enjoyed eating Willie Wallace’s cornflakes!
JIM CRAIG
A gentleman and a Celt wow :))
You are now in my small , very small clique of posters who have replied to me .
THANK YOU .
PS…..Masochist should have been Sadists , unfortunately i was looking at a photo of
ACGR in his gimp suit on all fours in front of Anabelle Goldie when i typed.
Hey ho :))
TWC
Oh, can I baggsie that for a new moniker??
TREBLE WINNING CAPTAINS
My daughter has ordered Jim’s book 5 minutes ago.
Can I remind you the problems we had with my Bo’ness address previously.
Happy to pay for registered or recorded delivery, just to make sure.
My work email is best if you want to contact me.
Thanks in advance!
Willie Wallace’s Sugar-Free Cornflakes.
MOONBEAMS
Congratulations and good luck ! SOUTHOFTUNIS saw your post earlier about Scifo i think he was only 16 when he made his debut in a good Anderlecht side that included Frankie Vercauteren , he was a cracking player also , thanks to Jim Craig for tonights session HH !
MWD
Just read back !
Brilliant news!
Very, very, best wishes in your new job D!!
Treble Winning Captains
Thanks for getting Jim onto the blog. Great to be able to engage with one of the Lions.
HH
Wow 4-0
Winning Captains.
As you are well aware, you are now likely to receive a bill from Australia from a certain wee man who used to frequent these parts seeking payment of £2.49 for using the cornflakes he bought several months ago.
He will have full expected them to be there when he comes back and he will ask you to account for them.
When he discovers who eat them he will charge interest as well!!
WEEBAWBABITTY-5:14pm.still reading back and stayed of the blog after coming home from game last night although I lurked.No issue with me pal in fact you said something to me that made me think ,so thanks to you I apologised to TURKEYBHOY and hopefully we draw a line under it.We aw Celtic fans sometimes that gets forgotten.Apologies right back at you.HH
Still on page 4 by the way,it’s been a long fekn read:-))))))
I was going to ask JC if you were on the halfway line and bertie auld was on the 18 yard box and you suggested to him he needed dental work, how fats would you have to run to make it to the dressing room to survive- thought better of it
thanks twc & P67 for getting these people to the fans
GFTB-I know you don’t usually post through the week,but just in case you’re lurking,you were the reason I started posting after years of lurking and you know why pal
twc
trying to buy the book – do I need a paypal account – I’ve tried to do it with debit card but can’t get past the biling address page
6-0 Liverpool, could be 10, 15 minutes to go. Spartak Quick News in meltdown.
Just getting to when Jim Craig was on,sorry about that
MADMITCH-7:00pm-your cover is blown
Looks like I’m going to have to reassess my opinion of sala:-)))
Surely there is quite a few millionaires on the Celtic Board,and a Billionaire,why don’t they put there money into Brendan’s Coffers,to buy a few quality players,don’t leave it to the supporters to put there cash into Celtic all the time,or is it not allowed for them with plenty of cash,
7-0. Not many players in the overhyped EPL I would pay to watch, Coutinho, Salah and Hazard I certainly would.
My tboughts on the managers front are , that the league will be more of an interest/contest .
Mickiness at Rangers
Jack Ross at Aberdeen?
Owen Coyle R County .
Neil Lennon Hibs.
Robinson at Motherwell.
This year will be tighter than last season i think …to much time on my hands .
MARSPAPA-7:11pm wit u like:-))))
why do i watch The Apprentice?
Napoli qn in meltdown:-))
I would love Napoli next round
JIMBOB
FFP rules stop that kind of thing.
Unless you are Man City, PSG or Sevco.
MWD
Cheers Philbhoy and Park Road 67
MWD
Good news today …..MWD well done big D ,good luck.hh
Ole Eurochamps….keep going big fhella, gooder luck n God bless.hh
My favorite Jim Craig moment was against the huns when he kicked Wullie ( Junkie )Johnson on the track beside the jungle.
A well earned red.