After the defeat at Ibrox on 29 December, we anticipated changes, but the most significant decision Brendan Rodgers made was the most unexpected. Celtic’s man of the match that day was goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, without whom the score would have been significantly worse than the 1-0 defeat. Remarkably, he was dropped and has not played since.
The reason for this has nothing to do with Craig’s ability between the sticks, it gets to the reason we lost control of the game: how quickly and accurately we move the ball. Despite a man of the match performance, Craig was dropped because Brendan realised our game plan can be easily dismantled if we are pedestrian in possession.
While Scott Bain is better with the ball at his feet than Craig, and Craig’s liability in this area is limited, central midfield was significantly more culpable for what went wrong at Ibrox.
Since then Callum McGregor has been restored to his normal midfield berth, Scott Brown has retained his place and Olivier Ntcham has been absent through injury, so the manager has had no major selection choices to make in this area. Olivier is now fit and in with a chance of making his first appearance of the year in Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie, while just as we were at Ibrox, we are short at left back, where McGregor moved to fill in.
Brendan has some big decisions to make this week. A central mid of Brown and Ntcham is not right for the football we play. In taking the least expected decision, to drop Gordon for Bain, I hope we saw a sign that Brendan values the velocity with which we circulate the ball.
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Mulumbu to score any time 16/1. Generous. As is Kilmarnock to win – 4/1. 60 shillings invested across the 2.
Tontine Tim on 9th February 2019 3:45 pm
Just noticed that kid on socialis,t you know the one that gave bader and the ballymena demagogue knighthoods, is in the stand at waster Road, he’ll be in good company in that boardroom.
*****
Brown is a Raith Rovers fan.
Imagine being a fan of a Club whose Chairman was prepared to tell the truth about the huns.
I wonder what that’s like.
Ernie
I’m not sure I know that feeling.
Lord knows I’d love to.
HH jg
Aff to say several Hail Marys for finally agreeing with EL!!!! ???
Jimmigangsta: Whits this site coming to??
Amazing how Fraser Wishart is against what happened last night in regard, Huns getting their justice.
His point…. FIFA do not want games re refereed after the game by video…
In other words let the mib cheat like feck and get away with it.
Hun dick.
D. :)
Almore
I know. I’m reeling!! Feel like I’ve just been hit by Peter O’Manohey!
HH jg
A draw at Kilmarnock would suit me and a replay on Wednesday. We are at Kilmarnock on Sunday so that would reduce their preparation time and also deny rangers a rest week.
Rangers miss their 1st penalty. 3 more to come.
Sevco get a pen – missed – LOL.
Lol
” You’re no rankers anymore ”
Girut.
Sevco are averaging two penalties per game
Dicker almost kills Hun, yellow card. Got away with that.
Mulumbu double sitter
Sevco play their joker early, doesn’t work. Odds on Killie red card getting shorter
D17: “Dicker almost kills hun”.
What are my past pupils like,eh?
Just put radio on there…are commentators prone to tell us it should be a penalty or it should be a second bookin for that foul ?.
& a failed CEO of FTSFA
No guessin which game.
HH
Chris Burke versus Andy Haliday………….too close call
2 teams running about like headless chickens, embarrassing.
Not a great game, fairly even so far. Killie look comfortable. Both teams a bit toothless up front, one goal will settle it.
Kirk clubfoot for Kilmasonic is trying to get sent off against the Klan.
D. :)
F.U.B.A.R.BHOY on9TH FEBRUARY 2019 6:01 PM
Broadfoot doesnt want to hear that. Eggs…microwaves.
Cert 2nd pen..
HH
ALMORE on 9TH FEBRUARY 2019 5:54 PM
D17: “Dicker almost kills hun”.
What are my past pupils like,eh?
——-
Apologies, it was Alan Power, i have the sound muted.
If it remains all square after 90 mind, do they go straight to a replay or is it extra time and penalties?
JJ
Peoud of my Bhoy on Twitter with this one –
“When Steve Clarke asked for consistency, I don’t think rangers getting penalties was quite what he meant.”
Muir playing well for sevco.
The commentators Craigan and another trying to justify some pro hun decisions by telling us what to see rather than what actually happened.
The penalty was soft a s the ball hit egg face on the chest as he was on the ground and then hit arm so not deliberate.
Craigan saw a justified penalty as it was a two handed save.
Later on Kent was claiming his jersey being pulled which it wasn’t.Craigan says Kent upset at jersey being pulled.
All 50/50s going to huns.
What time does the football start?
Watched the first half of the hun game they missed a legitimate pen,nothing
between the sides, get the feeling the two Killie CB are terrified of Defoe.
Jobo,
Copied that one and forwarded.
JJ,
Replay on Wed I believe. This would suit Celtic best being pragmatic.
Still hope Killie do it.
NYE BEVANS
Terrified of Defoe’s diving more likely.
Alasdair,
Thanks…..but I disagree.Sevco HAVING to win the League would suit me best.
Feeling very poorly so off to bed.
JJ
I take it fat boy Byod has given up training
Fat bar steward, hope scores though?
D. :)
Greigsy no happy wi Boydy callin him out….fkin brill.
HH
Monster Munch on for Killie two stone too late.
Sevco free kick 23 yards out just two shy of a penalty
Defo impersonating a tonne of bricks there, nothing given…
Craigan saying Boyd getting tight and trying to fight and roll.
One of the above should be easy for him.
Commentators showing different interpretation for hand ball in box.When Tavsie did it was not deliberate so rightly no penalty.Eggfaces not deliberate hand ball was definitely for them.
Fan a
Agree – So obvious
Huffing and puffing…not so easy for Sevco once the eyes of the world are on the MIBs.
No eyes of the world on Scottish football.
That is exactly why they have been cheating for 100 years.
Unfortunately, no one cares about scottish football.