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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https://celtsarehere.com/neil-lennons-hilarious-response-to-going-2-1-up-at-celtic-park/
weebawbabbity. just reading back great post. now my mate gftb who promised some bridies and scotch pies from christies if your lurkin get back on here. hh.
Cheers VP
ivehadtochangemyname
No you don’t need a PayPal account – just cinch through, its Paypal taking the money and they can do that from your card.
Said it once , said it a hundred times , the team is too soft , for me That is the problem . Basic football skill is also sadly lacking ,usually the second touch is a tackle . Only a very few in the team can control the ball instantly . And how many times did we just simply give the ball away , some not even able to pass to a hooped jersey standing five yards away . There are positions in our team needing greatly improved , I do hope Brendan Rodgers sees what the majority of the fans see , and act accordingly, some good enough for up here ,are out there depth against average European sides .
Good fortune to you Danny.
Keep it lit.
Eveneing All.
Sorry for continually plugging this but trust me there is method in my madness.
My wee Mary’s Meal appeal has now gone past the £1,000 mark and that means that the actual value will be over £2,000.
However, to feed 805 kids for a year via Mary’s Meals requires nearer £11k.
Given that every penny donated between now and 31st December counts double can I ask anyone who has a spare couple of quid to throw something in the hat? No amount is too small as it all counts.
CQN’ers never cease to amaze me and many have already made a donation and others have committed to raising some money and furthering the cause.
I am really grateful to all who have become involved.
With the double money position we are just shy of 20% there so all and any donations from here on will help take the campaign towards the 25% mark and maybe even towards the 50% benchmark.
Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.
Onwards and upwards as with our football team.
Cheers
BRTH
Here is the link.
https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/fundraising/project/jim-mcginley/st-anthonys-balfron-appeal-for-a-meal-1
Trump is an arsehole, wont make a blind bit of difference, just wanted to say it.
Did you (or someone you know?) travel to Lisbon n ’67 or to 50th anniversary and are willing to discuss your trip on camera for The Lions Road to Lisbon documentary?
Barney67
When you think of it Trump is actually a genius eco warrior. He will totally destroy the planet and all living things wiping out humans. The planet will then recover over a good few hundred thousand years (a wee speck of time really in its history unless of course you believe in God and his 6 days work).
The man I believe is head of green peace.
MWD
Watching a documentary on BT Sports 3 on Shay Given. Shay came from a large family and lost his mum to cancer aged 4. All of the kids had to work hard to keep the wolf from the door. Shay signed for Celtic and that was his dad’s dream for him. However, he was earning £100 per week as a young player and was offered professional terms b Lou Macari of less than that. That seems to be how we lost him folks.
JIMTIM
To soft and devoid of the positional sense necessary at the higher level.
Playing two non tacklers in central midfield has cost us in Europe.
Ntcham ,Brown and hopefully Kouassi will be our pairing in Europa.
MWD
It was indeed the Belgians traffic held up for,I park in same place as yourself…..two moto cops
doing fek all could have waved us through Clyde gateway as all other traffic blocked…..fekn wallopers :O(
Met up with a group of Anderlecht supporters in a take away about 11.30pm & attempted to talk to them about game. They weren’t threatening or anything like that but weren’t too pleasant either.
Totally different breed from either PSG or Bayern Supporters.
Do they have form as being problematic.
Barney67 and Moonbeams.
I am a cynical B.
But Trump is merely following the path set out by Truman.
Create conflict and sell arms for the industrial military complex.
He was unsuccessful with Nth Korea and Iran so has turned his attention to the Middle east.
His owners will be proud.
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 10:14 PM
Its a good cause. FFS when i was a wean we had nothing, but the black sambo(sorry thats what they called it) collection happened every Monday. And i mean, had nothing, in Coatbridge.
FAN-A-TIC on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 9:44 PM
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.
…………….
That incident happened at Ibrox. Johnston called Jim a name that we’ve all been called as Jim was about to take a throw in. Jim dropped the ball añd introduced Johnston’s haw maws to Jim’s right boot. Straight red before cards were introduced..
Anderlecht have a group of violent support. Yes. They were in Glasgow.
Before I hit the sack,I hope Mc Innes does join the Huns.That trumpet who is in charge of Aberdeen has had this coming.”Scottish football needs to move on”Aye right,ya free mason twat.Hell slap it into you.Whatever happens,your credibility is shotStabbed your own fans,and the rest of us in the back,sucking up to your “Brothers”who have now crapped on you from a great height.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/tottenham-fans-attacked-anderlecht-hooligans-6681040
Barney 67
” THAT’S WHAT THEY CALLED IT ”
Didn’t realise the klu klux clan had a branch in Coatbridge. :o(
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY
The old fuzzy tv pic playing tricks with my eyes as i always thought it was a midweek game at Celtic park.
His connection was excellent though.
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN,
I’ve just read your Mary’s Meals appeal. I am in Ireland and the link took me to the Irish version of the site. There is no mention of the “double the donation”. Does it just refer to the UK? I would hate them to miss out.
HH
Cheers Saint Stivs, Didn’t know about those geezers, sometimes ignorance is bliss.
YogiHughes
Yes I Think it is only a UK wide agreement to doube the donations.
You could always get someone here to make the donation.
Thanks for any help.
Barney 67 cheers for that, Coatbridge folk are great – gotta say that as I am sitting with a Coatbridge based teacher at the moment.
FAN-A-TIC on 6TH DECEMBER 2017 10:33 PM
The “Establishment shit its self when America fucked us off. It then became part of the fold/masonic/fold. The Russian revolution was a threat to the status quo to all the ruling royal families, they shit their selves.
MWD
So chuffed for your news. You were never a statistic to me, apart from mibbee being ‘the special 1’
HH brother. Jamesgang
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN,
Thanks. I’ve a brother in Glasgow. I’ll organise a donation at the weekend.
HH
VOGUEPUNTER
Dont know how old you are mate but it was a metal half upper body of a black man with his hand out which you placed your coin into.
Is that graphic enough for you?
MWD,
Congratulations on the new job mucker
I have just seen Jim Craig’s list of honours.
Wow. And he is so modest that he didn’t even mention Quizball
Just want to thank Hamilton Tim and Angelgabrial
for their help in getting tickets for last nights game,
much appreciated cheers
If our sojourns in Europe are all about learning, well I certainly learned last night that Celtic got it lucky in Brussels.
The Anderlecht fans coming from Belgium which is a predominantly Catholic country will have little sympathy towards the deid team and their fans. Any antipathy towards us may be due ToView anti-social tendencies.
Finally getting to hit the pillow after a long day. It was a great couple of days over in Glasgow getting to see my beloved Hoops, meeting a lot of the squad after the game and also meeting some CQN’ers in BV.
Already looming forward to my next trip over to Parkhead in the New Year.
HH
Lynchiebhoy, I’m just hitting the leaba as well , but I’m 40 years older than you.
Must be all the coffee I drank between Buchanan Bus Depot & Edinburgh Airport that kept me awake this long.
Barney67
Maybe time for a wee lie down?
GREENINBINGLEYINOSLO
LOL I’m just testing how long the mods stay up.