Enthralling and successful league phase

189

Our Champions League, league phase, concluded with only our second defeat of the campaign.  Like the first, it was away from home against a club from a top five league, unlike the first, it was not a humbling experience.  Although five minutes in it promised to be even worse.

Celtic steadied and grew into the game.  Our major positive is the redemption of Adam Idah, who looked like he was in the wrong movie all this term, but flourished at Villa Park, scoring twice in the first half to bring us level at the break.

There are no complaints about the result; Villa deserved to win and in selling Kyogo on Monday, we accepted this probability.  The players and manager deserve credit for competing as they did.  However, the manager’s decision to throw on Dane Murray was demonstrably unfair on the 21-year-old.

Dane has not played a single minute of top flight football in his career and made his only Celtic start (against Midtjylland) in July 2021.  Brendan has shown no inclination of developing the player, but threw him into a cauldron last night.  Managers do like to play games; you and I are not supposed to notice.

12 points and a 21st place finish feels like a huge achievement.  The draw was favourable, but as we saw against Young Boys, it does not matter who you face at this level, you still need to go out and get the job done.

It could have been better.  Brugge figured us out and it took too long to adjust, two points were there for us.  We were far better than Dinamo Zagreb but didn’t find the opening.  Those four points would have taken us level on points with eighth place Villa, but out of the automatic qualification on goal difference.

Only three of the 20 clubs above us play outside the big five leagues: PSV Eindhoven, Benfica and Feyenoord, while Sporting and Brugge mean six teams outside the wealthy leagues made it to the playoffs.

There is so much to unpick from the new league format.  Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb are examples of how to recover from a catastrophic defeat.  Dinamo were draw against Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Milan and Monaco.  They started with a 9-2 loss in Munich but finished with 11 points.  Denied progress only on goal difference from a draw which was expected to crush them.

It has been an enthralling, exhausting and successful league phase.  We have earned money, coefficient points and enhanced our reputation as a place to play and scout for players.  The platform has been raised.

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  1. The Battered Bunnet on

    We’re at an interesting place. Tierney and Jota offer an upgraded left side, but we need security at centre half or we’ll continue to gift goals.

  2. onenightinlisbon on

    “However, the manager’s decision to throw on Dane Murray was demonstrably unfair on the 21-year-old”

     

     

     

    Totally agree, young lad, give him time in the cup or against Ross County when the game is won.

  3. If a manager who was promised resources like never before by the majority stakeholder, and said manager tasks the suits with getting the fingers out and quality players in, yet the suits stammer, stall and defenestrate the forward line ahead of a defining clash, who’s playing games there Paulo ?

     

     

    Under Brendan we’re looking fairly respectable in Europe but your ‘ticbait’ tendencies still shine thru.

     

     

    Have at it.

  4. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Great article Paul almost all of which I agree with.

     

     

    Almost

     

     

    “the manager’s decision to throw on Dane Murray was demonstrably unfair on the 21-year-old.

     

     

    Dane has not played a single minute of top flight football in his career and made his only Celtic appearances (against Midtjylland) in July 2021. Brendan has shown no inclination of developing the player, but threw him into a cauldron last night. Managers do like to play games”

     

     

    You may be correct.

     

     

    You are likely to have more Intel on this than I do.

     

     

    Granted on both.

     

     

    Here’s another possible interpretation.

     

     

    Two weeks ago:

     

    “Dane, I’ve brought you into the fold.

     

     

    Stephen W is out. You’re in.

     

     

    Now you’re only in because I don’t have anyone else .. but you are in. Over to you”

     

     

    Last night:

     

    “I need to rest my higher ranked CB. Who is on the bench?

     

     

    Maik? He’s not the future

     

     

    Hey, Dane ! Get your trunks on son. There’s the deep end”

  5. However, the manager’s decision to throw on Dane Murray was demonstrably unfair on the 21-year-old.

     

     

    Dane has not played a single minute of top flight football in his career and made his only Celtic appearances (against Midtjylland) in July 2021. Brendan has shown no inclination of developing the player, but threw him into a cauldron last night. Managers do like to play games; you and I are not supposed to notice.

     

     

    ——————

     

     

    ticbait right there,

     

     

    thrown in a suspicion that the manager is playing games , who with though ? the board, i need more players because this is what i have to play ?

     

     

    or rather, Dane Murray was the last centre back available, simple as that.

     

     

    as was Daniel Cummings.

     

     

    we cant turnover players, the deadwood list for get rid, or change the rules on size of squad and home reared rules, and then greet that a diminished limited squad cant match a top 5 league final game they must win fixture.

     

     

    celtic supporters on the internet, what are they like.

  6. onenightinlisbon on

    We had a Polish youth international on the bench we bought for a considerable amount of money but he was deemed not good enough…..

  7. onenightinlisbon on 30th January 2025 12:16 pm

     

    We had a Polish youth international on the bench we bought for a considerable amount of money but he was deemed not good enough…..

     

     

    yes, he is deemed not good enough. so it is the manager call to bring on the scottish youth international instead.

     

     

    that other accusation, the brendan has shown no inclination to develop him utter tosh, every player has their won development path, brendan and his team will know everything about everyone.

  8. I thought Celtic, particularly Idah, did exceptionally well to go in level at half-time. As the second half unravelled we were never completely out of the equation until extra time.

  9. The Battered Bunnet on 30th January 2025 12:02 pm

     

    “We’re at an interesting place. Tierney and Jota offer an upgraded left side, but we need security at centre half or we’ll continue to gift goals.”

     

     

    Our defensive record at SPFL level is very good this year. I rate CCV, Trusty and Scales – and I reckon the former two can do well against a lot of European opponents, even Scales if we set up accordingly (Atlanta).

     

     

    I think adding a Wanyama type would be a better bet to add security to the defence though to be fair when playing teams from the top 5 leagues we could have 10 million signings in both CBs and Def Mid and still struggle.

     

     

    The first goal for me AJ was caught out pressing rather than falling back and spotting the danger.

     

     

    The 2nd we played ourselves into trouble, had multiple failures to hold the ball (Idah and others), a lack of protection from midfield and yet the unlucky deflection did for us.

     

     

    The 3rd really showed the need for better MF protection for me as did several occasions when they cut through us and played past our midfield far too easily. The 3rd I think could still have been avoided if the team (Scales/Engels in particular on this occasion) knew when to make a tactical foul even if it risks taking a card for the team.

     

     

    On another night they could have scored 7 and/or we could have scored more. It is to the teams credit we kept it respectable, especially after the start we had.

  10. For the short time he was on, gifted goal aside. I thought Dane Murray looked composed and decent. Given he played every week for QP, I think he’ll be a least good enough to play for us in Scotland. Let’s give him some game time. Please let it be Bayern and not Real

  11. Personally, I was surprised (putting it mildly) that the young lhad was put on. Why not our young Polish CH? Hope it doesn’t damage the young lhad’s confidence.

     

     

    Would like to know why our manager made the decision.

  12. Another myth we need to dispel Paul, is that 21-yrs old is still a kid in modern football.

     

    Mibby in ye olde days of bovril at half time and screw-in metal studs that was the case but it’s a young guys gemme now.

     

    There’s over 20 players under 20 playing around the EPL; 17, 18 and 19s among them.

     

    Dont think we can baby guys at the level BR aspires to.

     

    You get yer chance, you need to take it. That’s the dream for most players. But then, the player has elevate their game and execute the simple tasks.

     

    That’s (rightly) the pressure of playing for Celtic’s 1st team shirley!

  13. Not news, Liam doesnt have it to be a Celtic player. CCV plays last night, goals 3 and 4 dont happen.

     

     

    CCv trusy first choice. ATM we dont have suitable cover for either

  14. bournesouprecipe on

    Beep, beep and the sound of some reversing.

     

     

    All of the Celtic signings competed very well in their first CL. Even the ones that have for some reason to be labelled as ‘Brendan signings’ have now performed well to get Celtic to a level expected.

     

     

    I hope Adam Idah is fit for the Motherwell trip, he’s scored there before and knows the routine, and it would afford us having Daizen restored to wide left from where he excels. Imagine Jota will be introduced to the side, gradually from the bench. Suddenly, dipping into the pool for Dane Murray is just a reminder of the summer of 2023’s broken window, not BR’s fault he preferred young Murray to debut, he should have been able to expect a clean pass back from whoever took over from a run ragged Liam Scales.

     

     

    We should have known BR wouldn’t escape the goating.

  15. I have to agree Paul. I understand Cummings being subbed on, as Idah had run his race but Murray was strange. I don’t understand point scoring when we are trying to take something from a game. The board have backed him, but if he wants another CB in then tell them. If he has and they are not listening then playing Murray won’t matter. The decision has already been made. Or was that BR getting his excuses in and saying it’s not my fault? Nawrocki was on the bench and was a better option to bring on and a much fairer one. Murray cost us a goal but it is on the manager that one.

     

    It’s been a good campaign and the arrival of Jota and KT will hopefully help us and give us better quality. GT played well last night though I thought. CB is an issue at CL level as both CB’s last night have done well for us but that level is a step too high for either I think. I can’t see a first choice CB being an option though unless Nawrocki can be moved on.

     

    A striker must be a priority but I’d welcome a more defensive minded midfielder.

     

    All in all a decent 8 games, better than the old format and now we have a “glamour tie”.

  16. “However, the manager’s decision to throw on Dane Murray was demonstrably unfair on the 21-year-old.”

     

     

    I’ve already said I would have either left our two senior CBs on (didn’t think Scales was needing subbed despite a few mistakes) – and would have initially tried Dane against Raith in the Cup or in final 30 minutes of any league games where we have a decent lead / grip on the game… but to say

     

     

    “Brendan has shown no inclination of developing the player, but threw him into a cauldron last night. Managers do like to play games; you and I are not supposed to notice.”

     

     

    seems a leap to me?

     

     

    BR put him on loan, then trusted him enough to give him Welsh’s place (knowing with CCV’s history that he might be needed on occasion) – surely that is an inclination to develop him and a show of trust?

     

     

    I would also hope that he prepared both in advance to let them know that they would likely get some game time for experience and that both were keen for this.

     

     

    Whilst Kenny not being cup tied might limit chances up front, I think we will see in the rest of the season if there is intent to develop DM or not by minutes between now and the end of the season?

     

     

    P.S. Who coined TicBait? Quadro? I like it…

  17. ‘Right son, here’s your chance to play on the second biggest stage in world football for the mightily loved and adored Glasgow Celtic; just keep it clean and tidy for aboot 6mins; y’up furrit?”

     

     

    “That’s demonstrably unfair on me Mr Manager; I’m just a 21 year old professional footballer”.

     

     

    FUXACHE CSC

     

     

     

    Aye re TicBait QuadBhoy; guilty as charged (but not as guilty as mein host).

  18. Whether or not BR should have brought on Dane Murray, I find it more than strange how Nawrocki has been frozen out. If BR, with John Kennedy as assistant, is such a great coach why can’t he make the Pole into a decent defender? The same applies to Holm, another player who has been simply written off.

  19. bournesouprecipe on

    If you ever get registered as a football player for the Champions league you really should expect your manager might play you, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

  20. bournesouprecipe on

    79caps

     

     

    What evidence would you have, and that BR doesn’t have, to justify selecting Nawrocki?

  21. BR has subbed on Murray for no other reason than he rates him higher than Nawrocki. That’s it.

     

     

    It’s perfectly ok to disagree with that evaluation but there’s no body of work to suggest otherwise. Our gaffer gets paid to make these calls and he has made them.

     

     

    The suggestion that Brendan has deliberately set out to harm his own team to make points in the boardroom is as ridiculous as it is insulting.

     

     

    BR is a highly articulate man, we can be sure the board knows exactly what he wants from the transfer window. He wouldn’t stab his own team in the back in the midst of a CL game to get his point across. Is there any boundaries of decency which won’t be crossed in attacking Brendan Rodgers ?

     

     

    Some of our fans seemingly won’t be happy until we have a Kettlewell type manager back in the dug out, signing strikers for £1.5 million and getting bombed out in CL qualifiers.

     

     

    Pray those days are long gone.

  22. How does this player not get game time etc.,?

     

    Maybe Rashford manager has the right idea ,get it out in the open ,no mollycoddling,HH

  23. Paul 67,

     

     

    Agree.

     

     

    I have constantly argued that we must blood our young and fringe players in our domestic cups or when we are coasting in our league games.

     

     

    The cauldron of Villa Park last night in the charged atmosphere of a must media focused CL game was not the best timing.

     

     

    Dane Murray will feel devastated today.

     

     

    On another note. I think we gained more prestige, pride and reputation last night than any domestic cup win can give us.

     

    Put simply: European football refreshes the parts that domestic football cannot achieve.

     

     

    HH.

  24. Bournesouprecipe at 12.57

     

     

    Nawrocki played in the Bundesliga and had a good game in a win against the Huns. Other than that I have no evidence that he should have been selected but my point is why are BR and John Kennedy not able to make him selectable, why has he not been given a chance this season. Seems like a waste of an asset and it’s hardly likely to increase his transfer value if he never plays.

  25. Nawrocki is too slow , it’s that simple ; Holm needs to learn to play out of possession, he’s playing with grown-ups now.

     

     

    HH

  26. bournesouprecipe on

    79CAPS @ 1.08

     

     

    Yip, but Brendan Rodgers has that evidence too.

     

     

    He preferred Dane Murray (rightly or wrongly) he’s a Tier One manager and we’re not. He recalled Dane Murray from Queens Park and registered him for the CL as part of his development, – his call that’s why he gets the big bucks.

     

     

    FWIW Dane Murray is fitter than any level of fitness Maik Nawrocki has achieved since 2023.

  27. Irrespective of whether you think Dane Murray should have come on last night, it seems unfair to suggest that the manager has not invested any time in his development. He had a long term injury and was loaned to Queens Park as part of his development. His good play has ensured that he has been recalled and made part of the first team squad and been given the opportunity in training to develop and impress the manager. Part of his tuition will be under John Kennedy, who was himself thrown in at the deep end in a European tie against Barcelona.

     

     

    Brendan Rodgers seems to be committed to developing the player, as he has done with Liam Scales and others, not using him as a pawn in some Machiavellian mind game. These games may be countenanced by others but not in a professional manager with a record of player development.

  28. Ray Mags Maloney on

    Just read the CQN Match Report on the game.

     

    It’s quite something in tone. Read like an article written by ‘Heart and Hand’.

     

    Either the site has been hacked or a certain someone can’t hide their frustration with our blessed leader.

  29. I felt we gave it a right good go last night after a shocking start which must have been the ultimate challenge for the players , but we fought back scored 2 good goals and might have had a third if Hatate’s aim was in, the 3rd goal was avoidable as Arne was held off by McGinn’s arse and he rolled him giving him an easy pass, maybe Arne should have put him on the grass but I think he fancied winning and retaining the ball, the 4th was just awful everyone saw what happened, yes we need to strengthen, the Manager knows that and hopefully we are stronger by the end of the window .

  30. I have thought for a number of years now, we urgently need a strong, aggressive defensive midfielder in the style of Lenny, Kante, a spoiler if you will. essential in my book. We have some very good midfielders but none in that mould.

     

    I really thought Holm was the answer, but not fancied by Brendan sadly.

     

    Did ok last night, a couple of mistakes were our downfall., but we showed up pretty well after that dreadful first 5 minutes.

     

     

    onward and upwards

     

     

    KINGLuBO

  31. Mail Nawrocki May already be on his way in a loan deal, maybe with an option to buy, and would then free up a wage. Perhaps BR being an experienced manager/coach thought it wise not to risk a 3/4 minutes left injury to miss out on all that. Of course he’s on the bench if both our CBs have to come off. I think I noticed that Liam had pulled up slightly prior to being hooked, por cierto.

  32. POR CIERTO on 30TH JANUARY 2025 2:28 PM

     

     

    Agree – Scales pulled up with something. Hamstring?

     

     

    Murray brought on for injured Scales to handle Villa’s pacey forwards, no?

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