After collecting one point from their previous five games, Livingston fans can scarcely believe the result and performance their side recorded against Celtic yesterday. A goal from a breakaway on 25 minutes was enough to shatter Celtic’s early fluency. For all the flattery achieved by pounding opponents at Celtic Park, there is a fragility about Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Andrew Shinnie nipped in front of Stephen Welsh before thrashing a shot high into the net. The central defender should have done better but it was an excellent finish from Shinnie. The move started when Celtic were exposed on the right as Livingston won possession in the middle of the field.
The way we setup, we are going to concede chances and goals on the counter; going behind should not have had the consequences that followed. Instead of provoking a clinical reaction, Celtic’s early assured touch deserted them.
James McCarthy started his first game since May and is clearly well off pace. Mikey Johnston came on for his first appearance of any sort since May, he also needs time before we can expect anything like his best.
While central mid took much of the focus, our wing play was no better. Jota was significantly less effective against Livingston than against Betis on Thursday, and Liel Abada’s devastating runs into the box just didn’t happen. The only real pass mark was for Joe Hart, who made an instinctive save that prevented the home side doubling their lead.
We won on nine consecutive visits to Livingston between 2001 and 2007 before an 11-year gap until the next visit. Since returning to the West Lothian venue in 2018, we have played five, drawn three and lost twice. I am not fond of blaming the pitch; we have ample access to artificial pitches to practice on. Be ready next time.
So what now for our league challenge? News from Ibrox that Motherwell took a point to limit the damage of the afternoon was a merciful relief. A four-point gap is bad enough but six points would feel daunting. We are still in the race largely due to the fact that our only genuine opponents are well below the form they enjoyed in the two previous seasons. Whoever sorts out their form first will win the title.
Lots to consider, Ange.
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Unlike some,I will wait until we have some semblance of first team players back.Injuries have been horrendous.As I have said a couple of times,let’s see what Shaw has got in the midfield.Hopefully a run out on Thursday.Turnbull has been so hot and cold,he deserves the bench.Along with Rogic,we cannot afford 2 luxury players,especially when not performing.Mc Carthy again on Thursday.Will only get match fit playing matches.Same with Mikey,has to be given games when possible.Thursday an opportunity,along with Gio.
I will wait.I know how hard it’s been for the manager,new players,injuries,to get a rhythm going.We all said this at the start when he came in.
How soon they forget.
I do feel sorry for Ange.
The squad at his disposal chose the line up and formation yesterday and made it near impossible to change the game plan.
Swapping Bitton for Welsh and Soro for Mccarthy is window dressing. No other striker on the bench, no midfield option other than DMs.
Rogic and Turnbull are both known for an inability to go for 90 mins and yet because of our squad they have to play near enough 90 mins 3 games a week.
Our issues again find their genesis with the Board and running of the club.
First defeat to Hearts we only have 2 new players in the first 11, notwithstanding the shambles last year/players we had lost from last season’s squad.
Game against Sevco saw us sell two of our starters shortly after, play our debutant RB at LB and generally run out of steam after 20 mins with no options off the bench.
Yesterday – see above.
Why did we wait till the last day of the window to sign our Greek striker? He therefore has no pre season and is not fit enough for a place on the bench by 19 Sept.
Between the above and sacking McKay our Board are trying their best to lose a league to an impecunious Sevco. We really are poorly run, but benefitted from our nearest rival dying. I think the Board are holding out hope for that eventuality to manifest itself again.
With regard to the Vaccine Passport I believe a PHONE APP
will be launched on the last day of September or 1st of
October where each person can install the new app and
use their present unique user name and password to get
their Vaccine Passport
Never part with money or give bank or any details as this
will all be free
ERNIE LYNCH on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 12:14 PM
……….
Cheers ERNIE.
I was already wary when it asked for my Mothers Maiden name on the first page aside from my name and phone number etc.
It was on Page 2…that I was asked for ALL MY Bank details…..
I thought… ” NO WAY PEDRO” !
Cheers.
HH
Before we submit an early judgment on Ange , let’s consider….
One transfer window completed.
A lack of quality that was already in place.
Livingston on plastic, on Sunday after playing in Seville, on Thursday was never going to be straightforward.
Ange gave us new hope , but without Cal Mac & Kyogo, we’re seriously weakened.
If anyone is still looking for a scapegoat, may I suggest a boardroom that’s not fit for purpose.
Think Res12
Secret 5 way agreements.
Dubai.
Retaining NFL when it was obvious that his time was up .
The Howe recruitment farce .
Same club that was liquidated, claiming 55.
The annual switcheroo , where we swap places on the SPFL board.
Absentee landlord ?
Not half of anything ?
I have my doubts.
Hopefully Ange doesn’t become the convenient scapegoat.
Are we that fickle ???
GEEBEE1978 on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 12:16 PM
and PHILBHOY…
I DID provide my name and address and mothers maiden name, and my date of birth..on the FIRST Page…it was on Page 2 that I was asked for bank details….which I obviously refused to do.
Hopefully, nothing of any use to the SCAMMERS ?
Fingers crossed.
HH Bhoys.
If we are depending on Kyogo…..one player …we are in deep trouble…….two wingers away from home ( THREE at the end)..is not the way forward……….Mikey Johnson did what he does….not a lot ……..
ERNIE LYNCH on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 12:49 PM
—-
Or maybe he knew he was in no position to bargain, took what he was offered and was grateful for it.
Seems more likely.
——
Well perhaps – but does that mean he was desperate for the job?
I am wondering about what his relationship may be with the players. Ange is kind of bluff/gruff Aussie – that goes down well there and he’s had success.
Japan is an authoritarian,hierarchical, & mostly respectful society, so not hard to imagine him fitting in there.
We know first-hand from what happened at Celtic last season and all we see and hear from the EPL, that British/European footballers are ‘another kettle of fish’ and expect to be treated differently – could he be having difficulty getting players on board? I don’t know – all I can say is that his demeanour has changed in recent interviews as he gets further in to the job – he has seemed less assured, less enthusiatic and is struggling for optimism.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE 1:04 PM:
If you draw up an SPL table based on each team’s last 8 away league games, Celtic are equal BOTTOM alongside Livi, with just 3 points… and the next worst team has more than twice this points total!!!
Fifteen minutes in yesterday, I thought it was just a matter of time as we were on the front foot and they had already picked up some early yellows. But Abada’s awful cut back from a great position set the tone for the rest of the game.
Fifteen minutes to go and those minutes didn’t matter, we could have continued for fifteen hours without scoring.
When Livi away is going to script, why not change the script, adopt the chaos strategy. Put CCV and Biton up front and fire balls in from all angles. Try something different to break the monotony of the predictable. Maybe coaching pride doesn’t allow such thinking, but needs much Ange.
If there is one plus from yesterday it would be Joe Hart. The big fella has quickly become a much needed leader/character in the team.
The recent run of 5 games with only 1 win coincides with Taylor not playing more than 40 minutes.
I realise that Kyogo has missed 3 of these also but the energy and work rate ( esp off the ball ) of Taylor for anyone not watching through negative blinkered specs had been incredible this season and created so much space going forward whilst also supporting the midfield.
I thought Boli was decent yesterday and Adam too has played well but when watching the games live the work a rate and bravery in possession of our much maligned left back is the thing I really notice missing.
Surely there can’t be anyone surprised at the way the season has gone so far?
As ever we did not prepare, managerless for months, signing players after the CL qualifiers, sacking the CEO, maintaining the existing coaching team and board.
With all that in mind why would there be an expectation that we would come flying out the blocks?
The signing of McCarthy is just absolutely dreadful but of course no one actually knows who picked him.
I feel sorry for the manager, bringing on Bitton and MJ to win the game, are you joking?
I thought that by now I might be regretting my decision not to renew, not for one second, no more of my money for the tory tossers in charge.
BSR,
Why bring last seasons results into it?What does that prove?That we were rank rotten?Well fek me,I had forgotten about that.
We have a manager,that has got us into the group stages in Europe,against what most on here were predicting.Lost by 1 goal in Spain against a good team.This without half a 1st team squad.
Has everyone on here suffered a brain freeze.Was it only me that read that Ange would need time to get us back.He would need time for the players to adapt.He would need a couple of windows to see who he needs,does not need.All the players he needs are sitting watching at the moment,how does that help the mythical timeline everyone agreed he needed.As usual,all useless platitudes,until it does not suit.
Faithful through and through.As long as “Through and through”only lasts a couple of months.
Bigchip
What is the relevance ?
Most of those games were at the end of a season we had already lost and when managerless
We have an MSM to do that kind of crap.
Try rangers have won only 50% of their games this season. No you won’t see anyone saying that. But plenty about our poor record.
When you have brought in twelve new players and you are still short of numbers that’s not on the manager – that is a huge failure by the football department going back years. But then with no Director of Football it’s hardly a surprise.
Easy to point to Kyogo going out as our play regressing, but we were at our most effective with Ralston and Taylor as our full-backs. Since they have gone out our combination plays have not been the same. We are either putting in too many high crosses or falling back into the old habit of coming inside at the 18 yard line. Need to be getting to the byline more (Roberts style) or at least mixing up the deliveries – Ralston puts in a good low, hard cross which can be much harder to defend.
Would like to see Callum move forward when McCarthy gets up to speed. Nobody else seems to make the runs beyond the striker – again something that will disrupt a well-organised defence.
Speaking of defence – that’s a whole other issue!
AN DUN @ 12:16
“Strip everything away and we’re left with one singular laudable achievement – knocking AZ out.”
POR CIERTO @ 12:48
“I agree, but In that vein, they also share the responsibility for getting us into the EL group stage putting out a very good team in doing so.”
Lads, AZ Alkmaar are presently second bottom of the Dutch Eredivisie, 17th out of 18 teams. They’re really no a’ that guid.
ANGELGABRIEL on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 1:16 PM
People have said this morning that they’re fed up with R12 being used as an excuse.
We’re allowed to talk about it when the AGM comes round but it has nothing to do with losing at Livingston.
INIQUITOUSIV on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 1:35 PM
“Lads, AZ Alkmaar are presently second bottom of the Dutch Eredivisie, 17th out of 18 teams. They’re really no a’ that guid.”
Point well made and taken! :)) por cierto
TIMMY 7,
The signing of McCarthy is just absolutely dreadful but of course no one actually knows who picked him.
Only the vast amounts of Celtic fans who have been screaming out for him to join.I don’t mean years ago.Last season the rumours were being greeted with acclaim.I was not one.If it was Mc Kay who gave him a 4 year contract,he should have been sacked.
Still,in saying that,I will give him a chance.He needs to be fit.Covid knocked him back,and Sunday was too early.When he is fit and playing,I will judge him then.
“News from Ibrox that Motherwell took a point to limit the damage of the afternoon was a merciful relief. ”
————–
If this is the thinking within the club then we have obviously learned nothing about the folly of trying to be a bit better than whatever club is playing there. That has failed us over and over. Just be the best WE can be – forget others.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL,
What Taylor?What kind of heresy is this.You do know he is not good enough.Too small,can’t cross,in fact,useless.Get a grip man,you are going against every edict laid down by the CQN faithful
Burn the Witch.
It was roundly stated on here that to give James Mccarthy a 4 year deal, he must have passed a stringent medical with flying colours.
Turkeybhoy on 20th September 2021 1:38 pm
There was only one moment in time when we should have signed McCarthy and that was when he was at the Accies, as soon as he went down south we should never have touched him. Overpaid, overrated, EPL dross.
How many times do we have to hear this “he”ll be better when he gets fit”, maybe we should try signing players who are fit? How about that for a radical approach? Someone on CQN the other day even suggested Duffy would have been better with Ange FFS.
Our scouting set up is an laughing stock.
Iniquitous,
Did you think we would beat Alkmaar?At the time some were doubting we would beat Jablonec.
TURKEYBHOY on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 1:38 PM
When (if) McCarthy is fit I have a horrible feeling we will still be saying the same things about him . I find it hard to believe that Ange had anything whatsoever to do with his signing .
I do hope I’m wrong .
Turkeybhoy,
I still have high hopes for James Mccarthy.
But I would not pay too much emphasis on the clamour to sign him.
Ask yourself one question. If it were James Mccarthy from Castlemilk who elected to play for Wales, would there have been the same clamour?
HH.
BURNLEY78 on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 1:30 PM
The recent run of 5 games with only 1 win coincides with Taylor not playing more than 40 minutes.
Get more wood,we have another one.
Burn the Witch.
I’m still on board with Ange as most are/ This, unfortunately, is what a season in transition looks like.
I did like the managers comments after the game, always like it when it sounds like we are watching the same game
glendalystonsils on 20th September 2021 1:50 pm
I think either of those scenarios are disastrous for the club.
If someone other than the manager is picking the players we are a shambolic mess.
If Ange signed McCarthy we have picked the wrong manager.
I don’t see any silver lining I’m afraid. Best we can hope for is to get our best eleven fit and playing, the squad is weak with no depth. How long do we persevere with the likes of Bitton and Mikey Johnsone? Not good enough for Celtic but earning a fortune contributing nothing.
Greenpinata on 20th September 2021 1:51 pm
Nail on head.
I like McCarthy i hope we have not done a Duffy playing a system they were not used too and would not be able too adapt.
Turkeybhoy @ 1.31
I think we’re allowed to include 2021 in 2021 when we want to look at Celtic in 2021, sure we were rotten last season it also shows we’re rotten after six games nothing shows AP’s stats in a worse light, in fact he’s worser
We lost 5 games last season, we’ve lost 3 played 6 and we’re still in the light nights.
We’ve the same coaching staff as last year, have trashed a new saviour CEO, and re employed a coaching staff’s Daa for good measure.
With regard to faithful through and through I bought my ticket in June.
Angel Gabriel
Hope you’re well
HH
Greenpinta,
No.Still did not stop the clamour though.
I know when fit he is a good player.Palace manager, ( Crystal,not Buckiingham ) actually said he was their best player last year.All my mates,who are not in the least bit like that,thought he was a great signing.He might well turn out.
In a world of complex, systemic problems from top to bottom at Celtic, it sure is refreshing to see that the answer all along was merely Greg Taylor’s absence.
:)
HH
TIMMY7_NOTED on 20TH SEPTEMBER 2021 1:56 PM
Just in terms of squad numbers and back up , I think the likes of Bitton and Johnston will be around for a while as we are very stretched at the moment , but I think (hope) Ange will have a fair idea of who can be dispensed with in the next couple of transfer windows .
Big Jimmy
The NHS already know your details.
They will never ask you for bank details.
Watch yourself my friend.
:-)
HH
SIONNAIGH @ 12:21 AM,
Jesus wept. Some still discussing Res.12? Death by a thousand cuts. Move on ffs.
And why did he weep?
The idea that Celtic supporters can move on from discussing RES. 12 is proposterious.
RES. 12 is all about calling the cheats to account – are you happy with:
Old Rangers “getting away with it?”
The continuity myth?
The SFA and SPL cover up?
Celtic Board’s deafening silence?
Move on you say, you may be happy with the current old firm set up and the deceit that got us here. Many aren’t.
Celtic have not moved on since 2012, Celtic have moved backwards, until this old firm toxic Board is purged we will not be moving forward.
Keep~on~keeping~on…
Hail Hail
Soupy as far as I,m concerned your post aboot Nawbaws and their late appearance from the bathtub gives you the freedom of the blog for evermore ….
smiley that wis the brawest post in an awfy long time thing
long may they stretch and glow
Braw