I liked a lot about what we did last night. Leigh Griffiths provided more evidence that he is a remarkable predator. Kris Commons delivered another driven corner, his third of this European campaign to result in a goal, Lustig made first contact leaving Griffiths with only instinct to produce a shot on target. That same instinct clicked an instant later to turn the second shot over the keeper and into the net.
Do you remember a moment, before the first goal, when Fenerbahce enjoyed their best spell of pressure, and we cleared our lines aimlessly four times in a couple of minutes? It looked ugly and invited Fenerbahce to continue to pile the pressure on, but it was a salutary indication of how tactically well Celtic played. When under pressure, clear your lines, regroup, and get ready to go again.
On two occasions we dribbled out of a defensive position leading to a goal. Nir Bitton had ample opportunity to clear forward, but with opponents closing space all around him, he hesitated until he could play-in James Forrest, who surge forward to cross for Commons to score.
Scott Brown as immense all night, but having held-off a challenge 20 yards from his own goal on the wing, he should have cleared deep inside Fenerbahce territory instead of trying to make a pass. We didn’t get the ball back until the score was 2-2. Johansen and Lustig were both caught similarly in the second half but neither was punished. Being brave in possession isn’t always wise.
Some of the passing football we played was a treat to watch. Bitton and Brown played their best game as a partnership, if not as individuals in a Celtic shirt; Brown was certainly that good. James Forrest, now fit, is drinking-in responsibility. He was effective last night, but not because he used his unparalleled pace, instead he delivered link play.
You’ll have noticed Craig Gordon likes a leg save. Few keepers do, they seem to try to get their hands or torso to a ball, but I like that Craig likes getting any hard part of his body in the way.
Don’t let it bounce.
“Don’t let it bounce.” There’s not a central defender in the world who doesn’t hear that phrase every week. When a ball is coming towards the danger zone in the air, get your head on it. If you let it bounce, anything can happen.
This was Efe Ambrose first mistake last night. He failed to read the flight of the ball. The moment it bounced, he was in trouble. With Fernandao waiting to feed on the scraps, Efe should then have concentrated on winning the physical challenge as the ball dropped a second time, but instead he found his ‘don’t let the ball bounce’ instinct too late and committed a second inexcusable error.
Think back almost three years to the opening minutes of the Champions League game against Juventus, Efe committed pretty much the same mistake. He lost the flight of the ball and we were a goal down and out before we warmed up.
Although Efe is taking a large slice of the blame in some places for the second Fenerbahce goal, I’m not convinced this is a fair assessment. To give due credit, it was an excellent corner and header – from a zone in front near post it’s difficult to score from. The point about zonal marking is you defend areas it’s easy to score from, at the cost of leaving less-risky areas unattended. Fernandao’s header didn’t come from a high-risk zone.
For some reason, wispy Leigh Griffiths was delegated to man-mark bulky target-man Fernandao. Wee guys can block big guys, but they need to be standing ball-side of the attacker, preferably facing his chest with arms out, so that when movement happens, he’s at least the right side of the attacker. Leigh was on his heels, completely unprepared.
Before the kick was struck, Fernandao was on the move, gambling on a near-post run. Should Efe have also gambled similarly? On first glance it looked like it, but that’s only because the ball went to that area and ended up in the net. Fernandao could afford to gamble by running into a space the ball may or may not arrive at. This is not the case for a defender. He has to wait until the ball is in the air. If he leaves his zone before the ball’s kicked to follow an attacker who has move early, he’s not doing his job.
It’s all about the block.
Great corner aside, we lost the second goal because we didn’t get a block on Fenerbahce’s target man. Before the kick was taken, Leigh Griffiths was adjacent to and looking at Fernandao, having been delegated the task by the impressive Kieran Tierney, but Leigh was also looking all around him and made no attempt to block.
Griffiths (5’ 8”), the smallest man in the Celtic team, should never have been near Fernandao (6’ 4”), the tallest man in the Fenerbahce team. That’s 8 inches of disadvantage and double figures of kilos weight.
There are two big questions to be asked about this goal:
Why didn’t we have a physical equal on Fernandao, capable of withstanding a shove, or better still, getting his own shove in first? Fenerbahce had one target man striker, we didn’t notice him. It doesn’t matter if you play zonal or man-to-man, if we are conceding 8 inches to the opponent’s main physical threat, we’ll continue to lose goals at corner kicks.
But the real curious question is why was it left to 18-year-old Kieran Tierney to instruct who picks up whom at a corner kick? Action moves so quickly at corners that everyone needs to understand they have a responsibility to take control, not just the central defenders, captain, or keeper. Or 18-year-old novice.
This is not happening at Celtic right now, which is why we’re playing our European football on Thursdays this season. If you put your smallest player on an opponent’s tallest, and it’s left to an 18-year-old to delegate responsibility, you deserve to lose a goal.
Last Man Standing 5
Last call for all those wanting to take part in Last Man Standing 5, in aid of Wee Shay McGinlay who is 2 and suffers from cerebral palsy. To date CQNers and friends have raised an incredible £5400 towards the fund raising campaign, to finance treatment for Shay not available on the NHS, which will hopefully improve his quality of life.
The current entrants stand at 72, so if you want to take join the LMS5 clique, then simply drop a line to Jobo and CRC at cqnlastmanstanding@gmail.com before 12pm Saturday and they will send you more details.
Thanks for indulging me bringing the work of the Foundation to your attention all this week. The Great Scottish Run is less than 48 hours away and dozens of Celtic fans have put thousands of hours into preparing for the event. Those doing the ‘half’ are going to miss the Hamilton game, another consequence of playing Thursday night European football.
If you can support any of the runners, please do:
Click here for my linked donation page.
Thank you.
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12 months ago we looked like a team in disarray after our calamitous exit from the CL. Have we progressed ? Take away LG s goals and KCs contribution neither of whom RD was playing this time last year we are not much improved. We no longer have Virgil or Denayer and SJ is suffering a ‘lack of form’. All things considered we look like a team going backwards.
all league games Will be won ( no doubt in my mind) between now and oct 31st…I believe we will be top of the league that evening…And will never be headed…Just my thoughts..
Corkcelt
T I was there with the missus before 7pm. Sorry I missed you sir.
Dallas Dallas
I think we’ll win on Sunday and by a couple. You’re right our record at Hamilton isn’t great but I’m hoping that I now reside almost permanently in Cumbernauld it will restore the equilibrium of the earth’s axis and propell the Celts to victory :-)
Alternatively, it could be a scrappy win by the odd goal!
Cowiebhoy
Obviously the tent pole wasn’t big enough so we taped a couple
together, then he moaned that it wasn’t fluttering in the wind
so he had me tying a corner of it up to a tree branch so it was
spread out, must be off my head.
The princess looked out of the van and just shook her head and
went back in muttering something ( wonder what?
H.H Mick
Corkcelt
My dad purchased some cuff links and a badge at cqn corner
He stands at the food caravan next to pools office and cqn corner is beside that too
Good to see you yesterday and glad you enjoyed your trip
Morrissey is on “Alan Carr chatty man” tonight. Singing not chatting I think.
Effe. For many reasons we needed him on the night and he gave us his all. Would’ve loved to see him score the winner, never mind.
We need him at his best in whatever position throughout this season. If everyone gives their all he’ll have a medal or two or three in his hand at the end of the season.
The young Croat… hope he’s not got whatever Boerrigter mortis has.
KC might not be the fittest, but he’s still the most skillful and clever player we have.
Not to mention scores plenty and gives assists.
For me he should start every game.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Cowiebhoy on 2nd October 2015 9:32 pm
Oh well the 2 of you were wrong :-)
——————
:o) You been on that same SFA course as the guy last night ;o)
Brown Bitton
Commons Forrest
Jo
—————————
Brown Bitton
Jo
Commons Forrest
Now Commons could replace Jo in the first formation but not in the second formation like we played last night.
Perspective, now there is under used word on the blog. I like to take things into said word regards Celtic. I find it remarkable the way we perform in Europe. I just wish we could play these teams week in week out.
Now as for teams going backward ? I give you Liverpool. Pure pi*h and £150 million down the pan in 2 year.
Mick, got to say that Grandson is pure class, your influence obviously :-)
Brilliant
But
Are you saying you had to climb a Kooolida tree ?
TTT/JNP
You two should meet, I hear there’s a couple of circuses in need!!!
Two gentlemen, I hope you’re well :-)
Gordon64….think its Impossible for us to lose VVD and JD and improve, one thing people tend to forget us the Goals both of them Scored…No natter what central defence pairing we play…they Wont score as many as they did….Nor Stop as many….Of course we have went backwards….
Dallas….
Don’t be so silly, physical assault isn’t that big a deal, although if the guy Paton/Peton had sung about Lukas being not from these shores then Police Scotland would be all over it …… Or maybe Leigh Griffiths is the only person that is convictable (sic) since thousands have sang worse than our Leigh (not that I am suggesting Leigh should have uttered those words) but surely one rule for everybody ……..
Mr Melbourne………..
Fly the Flag…….fly the flag.
Great story.
HH
Hamiltontim at 9.35, hopefully the former applies but the latter is more likely.
uonno on 2nd October 2015 7:18 pm
Sandman on 2nd October 2015 5:32 pm
quonno on 2nd October 2015 4:39 pm Nothing sums up Celtic’s moribund state than a month after the transfer window closed we are trying to secure the services of an out of work whose career is behind him.
Don’t watch Celtic, then.
Can the above be interpreted as meaning. If you want to watch, don’t have an opinion on what you are watching.
—————————————————————————————–
You haven’t watched anyone yet. What opinion? On whom?
‘the services of an out of work whose career is behind him.’
You parrot the SMSM circa november 1998; Your caveat – two words; Lubo Moravcik.
Any guys going to the game on Sunday would you mind sending me an email please.
hamiltontim88@yahoo.co.uk
Coaches coach and managers manage. RD is a probably a good coach but he is a poor manager. His team selections are questionable and he has shown no ability to change a game tactically when required.
HT
My dad and nephews will be there as usual
It’s October, the nights are fair drawin’ in, and little Newt has a warning for us all about the Huns:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B436avtEXzs
HT,
Im sure JNP and I would get on well, if nothing else we could just rip it oot of you all day ;-)
Im doing well thanks Pal. Hope you and Minx are likewise.
Been too long since we had a beer and blether pal. Need to get that sorted soon!
Typically though i wont be able to make the Hootenanny next week as im at a mate’s wedding next Sat.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Gerry,very true.
I dont condone Leigh singing that song but the fact there were about a hundred others singing the song and only Leigh was charged , doesnt sit well with me as well as that song Leigh was fined for singing.
Good one about Paton/ Peton .
Call me paranoid but if Lukasz was in court as the defendant, the media would be covering the case a bit more.
BT
I’ll text you.
The_huddle
We were at a different game if you think we played that structure
I sit in North stand 107
I can assure you Commons was being played wide right of a 3
Johansens was predominately playing further forward than Commons
That was what I witnessed
You may have seen I posted Johansens was barking orders ( and being ignored) to Commons in 2nd half
It was to pull Kris further forward in line with him ( I seen this take place 3 or 4 times ?) my mhate who sits next to me, also commented on this
When Johansen indicated to bench he needed to come off, he was in centre circle nearly on halfway line, KC at this stage was at least 10 yards closer to our 18yard line – point here he was playing further forward than the wide men
I could be wrong, it wouldn’t be the first time, and just my opinion
Thanks for the footie discussion though, interesting to see and understand how others view the game, as every days as school day, just ask that Melbourne Mick chap :-)
Hail Hail
Ok Lads BBC4 time
I do not hold Effe responsible. I would rather point the finger at the man who picked the man who picked the man who picked Effe.
HT
No probs
I’ll text you his number
He is at dinner dance this evening do best to get him tomorrow
Mini told me about your meeting with him last night , not very PC my dad
Leftclicktic
The Token Tim
Gerryfaethebrig
Bankiebhoy1
Cowiebhoy
HAIL..HAIL to you all.
Cowiebhoy on 2nd October 2015 9:55 pm
———-
Probably lost in text format on here, but Sutton said the exact same thing.
It’s semantics I think, but subtle in where Jo was playing. It basically involves him playing more of the game in our half rather than the opposition. Commons couldn’t cover that sort of ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqc6za4lsak
The goals from Celtic’s U19 game in Finland the other night including a cracking hat-trick from Aiden Nesbitt.
~SPF~
Gordon64…if coaches coach and managers manage…That sounds simple..But what was …say Stein or Feguson or Mourinho?….just Asking..
Dallas
What doesn’t sit well is the fact it was big news then faded into nothing (probably since Zaluska was the innocent) anyway don’t you worry about Sunday, like last October/November the Europa League sparked the season after U.S., the fans, as well as the players, were gutted after champions league exit……. Check the table after the Molde double header and if I was a “betting” man we will be top of our section with two to play !
(Only on as wee blade sleeping and the other boss is at a candle party ??)
The_huddle
With that we can agree :-)
Hail Hail
Great choon,
the ad’s a bit over-cooked mind……….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX1pw1cn7fI
TTT
Er a shock!!! :-)
Met up with some old pals away to Aberdeen the other week :-)
Shhhh :-)
We’re great sir she surprised me the other night with a 4 night trip to Lisbon in April to visit the Estadio Nacional!!
I hope you, J and the fab 4 are well.
ScotPatsFan on 2nd October 2015 10:00 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqc6za4lsak
The goals from Celtic’s U19 game in Finland the other night including a cracking hat-trick from Aiden Nesbitt.
——————–
Some good goals from Nesbitt, the guy looks about 12, can we get the SNP to start pumping steroids into the school milk?
Tsoal I tuned into bbc4 and the first thing I see is Nevin. The credibility of the programme is immediately shot to pieces. HH
Clogher 8.37pm
Don’t usually read back, I jump into Cqn and then jump back out, didn’t realise you were over for BMCW’s day oot…. would be delighted to meet you and talk lot of mince about Celtic, still think Dublin 2016 is a long shot due to work but, where there is a will there is a way !