Just as a year ago, we lost the first game of the season against Newco, but the similarities end with the result. Celtic bossed the first half and created the better chances in an even second period. Goals change games and when Kyogo Furuhashi centred a cross for Odsonne Edouard, the game should have changed. Instead, Odsonne took his eye off the ball, which bounced off his heel and ran to safety.
One week ago today, despite scoring six against St Mirren, I urged Ange Postecoglou to play Kyogo through the middle, if necessary moving Odsonne to the left. He started Kyogo on the left yesterday and although Celtic enjoyed the bulk of possession, they were blunt in front of goal; Odsonne’s miss starkly demonstrating the point. It was a foreseeable error from Ange, which he later accepted.
Although Newco were unable to keep possession throughout the first half, at home, exclusively in front of their own fans, news of their demise was exaggerated. They survived the torrent when required and adjusted their game plan at halftime. From that point, Celtic were no more than equal in the contest until Kyogo moved into the middle on 70 minutes.
After Kygo shot from a tight angle, Ryan Christie reacted animatedly towards his teammate, presumably complaining that the Japanese striker did not square the ball for him to finish in front of goal.
I’m never keen on Celtic players shouting at each other and suspect this show of agitation contributed to Kyogo passing instead of shooting moments later, when the clear shot at goal was on. Our Imperious Icon could be forgiven for wondering why bother laying chances on a plate for others after Edouard’s earlier miss.
Just like the first goal we lost to Newco last season, yesterday’s goal was lost from a set piece but I’m not pressing the panic button on this one. Last year we were unable to form a straight defensive line, it was largely the central defenders who were causing the problems. The defenders were correctly marshalled yesterday, the goal was lost because none of the others picked up a late runner.
The transformation in Celtic in such a short period has been beyond any of our expectations. We will continue to improve and I expect will top the table after Newco’s visit on 2 January. In losing twice so early, however, we have put ourselves under unwelcome pressure. Playing the beautiful stuff is not always rewarded.
Last week they came after the Japanese, yesterday, they came after the Irish. Racism in Scotland is in spate, it was even given a police escort post-match in Glasgow yesterday. It is not the responsibility of Celtic to win so often that the mob have no opportunity to wreak havoc on the city.
Our political leaders and police cannot ignore this problem away. Scotland is home to many cultures, creeds and ethnicities. All will suffer unless the laws of the land are enforced.
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MADMITCH on 31ST AUGUST 2021 8:56 AM
AP interview from SLY — powerful stuff hopefully helping us understand who we are and what we came from.
It also makes the self indulgent / ego tripping of the Irish Raj and PL all the more galling to witness.
DD would appear to be from the well fed end of the 26 county spectrum.
No connection / links to the marginal end of the spectrum who have had to move for a better future over the past 150 or even 200 years — it would explain his lack of engagement to a T
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Mitchell.
You go easy.lol
Do you blow balloons for a living?
Your funny.touch envious at times
HH
Watching highlights of game its mental how often we gave them back easy possession thru misplaced passes.as much as we need more physicality in the team we need play with more composure and be braver on the ball.
DREW1967 on 31ST AUGUST 2021 12:31 PM
“Watching highlights of game its mental how often we gave them back easy possession thru misplaced passes.as much as we need more physicality in the team we need play with more composure and be braver on the ball.”
I said on the morning of the game DREW67, it would be decided on how brave we were on the ball, and we weren’t, por cierto
TURKEYBHOY on 31ST AUGUST 2021 10:54 AM
Unbelievable on here sometimes….
Where do you start?
As some one else said
Start with a ‘bombie’ few laps of breaststoke, a few laps of backstoke
HH
TURKEYBHOY on 31ST AUGUST 2021 8:58 AM
Might see a nibble for Carter Vickers,Spurs CH,today,on loan.
God,some deadbeats on here this morning.Away to the pool.
THIS. :0)
wins the internet.
easy readback today,
scollingthetrollingCsC
no sign of hun ins and outs
TURKEYBHOY on 31ST AUGUST 2021 11:01 AM
Just got word my son,has Covid.Quite a few of his mates have also tested positive.All go on the same bus,and all together at the game.Who knows?Bus or game.
Had double vacs so just feeling rough like flu.
…………….
I reckon I caught COVID at the St. Mirren game or in transit to or from it by train. Another poster on here said he experienced COVID type symptoms on the day following that game. We both sit on the Main Stand. I know another guy who caught it probably at the same game- main stand too. He reckons he caught it doing the Huddle. Tell your son not to rule out doing the Huddle as a COVID spreader. What could go wrong with 50000 fans with their arms around their neighbours jumping up and down, around 45000 of them without masks.