Celtic got what they deserved yesterday. Alarm bells were ringing from the opening minutes when Newco Rangers created several chances. Their goal on 16 minutes was reward for their ability to get inside the Celtic box with remarkable ease.
So much about football is down to game intelligence, something which bypassed Dedryck Boyata in the move which led to the opening goal, as he clumsily barged into the back of an opponent who was running away from goal. After Dedryck went off injured for Erik Sviatchenko midway through the first half, Craig Gordon had little to do.
This fact illuminates the only positive aspect of Celtic’s performance – the defence. Sviatchenko and Charlie Mulgrew both played well, while Kieran Tierney would have collected the Man of the Match award, had his team-mates delivered near to his level.
Sviatchenko wasn’t in the starting line-up because he’d been out injured, but with extra time, he played (well) for 95 minutes. Leaving him out, presumably over concerns he would be unable to play 90 minutes, was a miscalculation.
From midfield forward we were individually and tactically second best. Scott Brown provided more evidence that he’s not regained top form after his injury lay-off. His touch and decision-making were both off. He had an opportunity to clear at the first goal but his contact wasn’t strong enough.
This is a real concern. Scott’s 31 in the summer, young enough to have several good years at this level, but my expectation is that we need to manage the remainder of his career carefully, in light of the cumulative effect of injuries. If this concern is valid, it will have a big impact on Celtic next season.
I did a fair amount of shouting at Nir Bitton during the first half. We were regularly overloaded 3-against-2 on the wing, while Nir remained in a central position, 5 yards away from being able to effectively press. If this was down to team orders they were complicit in a dreadful first half performance. If it was a personal reluctance to press, it was inexplicable. I could believe either scenario.
It was all too much for Gary Mackay-Steven and Patrick Roberts. Gary’s form has been underwhelming this season, but when I questioned his inclusion ahead of the game the point was made that he’s chipped in with a number of goals recently. Ronny Deila turned and walked to the dug-out to instruct Gary’s substitution after one inaccurate pass too many.
In the starting line-up, only Gary, Patrick Roberts and Leigh Griffiths had scored in our previous 7 league games. I suspect we were caught asking the wrong question here – who’s going to score the goals? Instead of asking how best to win the middle of the park. With Roberts, Mackay-Steven, Griffiths and Johansen occupying the advanced four positions we were lacking in kilograms – literally lightweight.
Contrast to when Gordon Strachan plucked Charlie Mulgrew from defensive cover to play left side of midfield at Ibrox; winning a game well against the odds.
Stefan Johansen was another unable to judge the weight or accuracy to apply to a pass, he was hooked injured after 84 minutes but could have gone earlier due to performance. His replacement, Tom Rogic, brought a considerable improvement to our use of the ball. Had we started with Rogic and Sviatchenko it would have been a different result.
The plan didn’t work for Leigh Griffiths. He was unable to hold play up, get in behind or craft a proper opening. He’s been our charm this season, but he’s no miracle worker.
More on the big picture stuff later in the week.
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Gebhoy,
That’s not what Phil Mac says about the Irish raj which surprised me.
As long as any manager has his backroom staff foisted on him, he’s destined to fail. I feel that Ronny was fighting a losing battle once Collins and Kennedy (with all due respect to their service to Celtic) were foisted on him. He should have told the Board to gtf and named his own terms. He’s been too loyal to them – until Sviatchenko, our defence was pash, that’s Kennedy’s watch, and God only knows what Collins brings to the party.
I feel that loyalty has extended to Johansen in particular, but Brown and Bitton as well, to the point of intransigence. Isn’t there a saying that the definition of insanity is to keep on doing the same thing and expect a different result? It would be insane to start those three in the next match, after yesterday’s performance. But I fear that’s exactly what will happen.
Looking forward to Sunday – after all, Celtic are playing – but not looking forward to the atmosphere if there are no changes.
The Battered Bunnet 12.56
I’m told that David Moyes has today announced his interest in the AVFC job.
Based on your previous post that he was already in place for the Celtic managers job.
What is your view now?
TT
GEBHOY on 18TH APRIL 2016 6:28 PM
Rarely post on here now mostly lurk, only popped on to doff my cap to Tiny Tim, who has been right on the money all those years ago regarding the hun demise
###
Not having a go, but my recollection is that TT’s opinion at the time was that the huns would somehow avoid going bust. He was wrong in that regard.
Good Evening Timland.
Not hanging aboot wae you miserable bassa’s,
got thing’s to do.
If I was DD(the man that call’s the shot’s) I would
hand big Pedro( divisive,wae the support) his P45,
give half his salary and bonus tae M O’N and make
him a director of fitba and appoint Paul Lambert
first team coach.
I got ma erse handed to me in my hun infested
work today.
enoughofthisshamefulshitCSC.
Still trying to digest what happened yesterday, but it’s not working.
The Ronny experiment has failed and he, and his backroom staff, will be gone by the end of the season, if not sooner.
However, if anyone thinks that PL will be joining him as he exits stage left will be disappointed.
Ronny is a nice guy, but nice guys do not tend to make the best managers. Ask some of the players under BIG Jock if they think he was ‘nice.’
Ronny’s replacement?
No idea.
Hopefully someone who knows how to get the best out of his players, and is not a ‘nice’ guy. A bit of a bastard in fact!
But what do I feckin know!
Still scunnered, but still a Tim.
HH!!
Top of the day to you all!
Peter and the PR team said that it might not be wise to log onto CQN but I have heard that Lisbon Lion legend Tony Gemmell sometimes logs on here so if its good enough for him, then its good enough for me!
A few of my field agents (they shall remain nameless, despite sometimes being flaky, and why not? as Barry Norman would say) have brought it to my attention that both I and my faithful go-to-guy Peter Lawwell are getting criticised by the riff-raff and internet bampots on sites such as this.
You ungrateful peasants need to understand that you are lucky to have a majority shareholder like me who is so devoted to spreading the Old Firm gospel the length and breadth of the Bahamas and Panama. You can`t buy that kind of publicity you know.
Yesterday truly was a great day that showed the Old Firm in all its glory, great clubs, great history and great football, and I am sure it is only a matter of months before both clubs are gracing our rightful place in the English Premiership. I have no doubt that this is the natural stage for players of the calibre of Law, Clark and Boyata.
I thought that a few of our young players, Kevin Tierney, Tony Rogic and Ernie Shevchenko were absolutely fantastic and I found myself sagely nodding in agreement with Kenny MacAskill, Murdo Fraser, Neil Doncaster and Frank McAveety sitting immediately to my far right (naturally enough) when they said what a great atmosphere it all was.
I know that some of you are a bit concerned about the fellow Robbie Dialer that we have as Head Coach but trust me, I am already working on securing a mentor who will help young Robbie become the greatest manager we have ever have had since Joe Stein. I am looking to bring in my friend Joe Kinnear in as Director of Football. Even better, Joe is good pals with Mike Ashley so there is scope for partnership working with our partners on the other side of the Old Firm. We might even bring in a couple of loan signings from the Rangers Academy or treatment table if Peter can get one of his extended family a job there. Watch this space!
I know that some of you have taken the result hard, but listen, my investment is an emotional investment and no one hurts more than me. You people don`t understand how much it hurts when I`m golfing and someone like Gary Player asks me “how did the Celtics do in their last game?” and I have to surreptitiously text Peter asking who we last played and what the score was.
Except when we play our Old Firm pals of course. I always make a point of going to those games.
Anyhow, lets cut to the chase.
1. We will be playing in the EPL soon, Sky will see to that, and the world will be our oyster. I know I`ve been saying this all the time since 1994 but its on its way, honest!
2. We have an exciting young team coached by a managerial genius and we will be last 16 CL contenders again next season.
3. We need your support to see off the challenge of Rangers so buy the strips, buy the pies, buy your season tickets and your tickets for the Old Firm games at £48 a pop.
4. If you`re really good, I might relent and sign 36-year-old Robbie Keane on a 3 month deal on transfer deadline day in August (after we`ve been knocked out of Europe of course). Don`t say I`m not good to you!
5. Adopting the Living Wage would place us at severe risk of bankruptcy. But £1 million pay packets for CEOs presiding over decreasing turnover levels are the height of prudence and fiscal responsibility.
6. We are the most ethical club in the world.
7. Peter wrote a letter to UEFA regarding Resolution 12 but Ian Bankier`s dog ate it. Shame that.
I`ll see you guys at the AGM – or maybe not!
Remember, to get those season ticket renewals paid up ASAP. The Old Firm are back and you wouldn`t want to miss out on that!
Toodleloo.
Ernie,
my recollection was he stated that there will always be a version of the hun playing out of ibrox, regardless with what happened to oldco.
Canamalar,
I read that too, his actions up until now do not show much interest, we shall see, although i wont hold my breath.
gebhoy
‘meet the new boss-same as the old boss’
Listen, changing our manager iwont increase the quality of the playing staff.
Hard to take i know, but the days of Lubo, Naka and Henke are over.
And a coach of any stature is a non-starter so forget any lists/top 5 choices nonsense.
Reality check time.
TICTAEWIN, Lubo, Naka and Henke must have cost under $2m collectively. Surely we can scout or develop similar.
—–
Tick ‘Mick’ McCarthy….?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!
Ah’d Rather We Keep Delia….
Or Invite Mowbray Back….
Rather Than Suffer This Yorkshire PRAT!
We’re NO Great Fans Of The Walkin’ Talkin’ Personality That Is Roy Keane…
But His Summation Of MM Wiz SPOT-ON..!
Ever Seen MM Co-Commentating On A Match..?
Like He’s Watchin’ An ENTIRELY Different Game….
And He’s ALWAYS Calling Decisions INCORRECTLY…..
Then Disnae Own-Up When The Action Replay Proves Him WRONG..!
As For His OPINIONS…
FULL Of B@@@@@@@@@!!
It’s A MAN’s Game Ya-Da-Ya-Da-Ya-Da!
Begone….Foul Spot !
———-
Hmmm….Two Members Of Villa Board Just Re-Signed…
Looks Like There May Be Uncertainty And A Long Period Of Turbulence At Villa..?
~~~~
I know our manager has got to go, he had his chance and it didn’t work out, still feel bad that it has come to this.
Down? Oh aye!
and
Out? Not a chance and after I have assembled my thoughts I will try and compose what is a possible, and with the right attitude, probable way to restoring primarily the relationship between players and support and creating for the first time (the brief afterglow of ’94 excepted) a similar level of empathy with the boardroom.
But that’s for later.
Meanwhile, I can tell you that having checked the yard the chickens have most definitely NOT come home to roost. They are so plucked off that they are still in the pub, more legless than headless, trying to establish a new pecking order.
One plan that has been put forward, and I hate to breach confidentiality but here goes, is for every season ticket purchaser to get another at half price WITH A BONUS OF an ‘inflatable supporter’ to take with them to the game, in case no one else wants to go. (They will also be able to purchase on the day, bio degradable plastic pizzas, pies and hot dogs to give the air filled fans the full matchday experience)
The prototype model was demonstrated to the hens in Sharkeys earlier, and I can tell you that it fair ruffled a few feathers. However the chief cock was heard to give it his approval with a hearty ‘That’s ma bhoy” followed by a rendition of ‘Chick chick chick chick chicken, lay a little egg for me!”
I sneaked a picture of what could be in a seat near you next season.
https://goo.gl/J9QtS5
Hail Hail
Matt
I still dont see what Kennedy brings to the party a young player who had played a few first team games when his carreer was tragicaly ended by a thug . Why would he have the experience to coach defenders who would play in European competition then Collins who is I believe an acquired taste for only a few so a lot was dumped on Ronnys shoulders. I hoped he could walk the walk as well as talk the talk but I believe it has been to much for him. I believe we will once again be looking at the cheap option to take over from Ronny the support deserve better. H.H.
One year ago tomorrow the season ticket renewal packs were starting to be issued
http://www.celticfc.net/news/5742?item=5742
I wonder what the planned release date is for this season?
HH
CRC
One other area we need Celtic to address is that of the media. We have completely failed to acknowledge the power of negative media reporting and the SIGNIFICANT Psychological affect this has on the club/players etc..
I think it is vitally important that Celtic find a way to combat this in Scotland!
Taking it on the chin is defeatist – we are champions, we are the most powerful club in this country and its about time we stood up and demanded fair reporting!
So it’s” RD’s job’s safe until the summer.” Let’s go now and win this league. Was the manager good enough? No,but he tried and he’s a Celtic manager . Expect him to be in TV studios in the future come Celtic v Newco or European nights. Hail hail.
DD@6:42
Brilliant, is Declan your brother :0)
GEBHOY on 18TH APRIL 2016 6:43 PM
Ernie,
my recollection was he stated that there will always be a version of the hun playing out of ibrox, regardless with what happened to oldco.
###
I don’t think anyone sensible ever doubted that.
The point I was making though is that he was certain they would never go bust.
He overestimated the influence and power they had to control events.
Anothe moniker eh! Idiot.
TT
In my trade we talk about the denotes and the connotes: That which is explicit; and that which is implied.
It’s important to recognise the difference between the two. Have a re-read.
Harking back to the WGS succession, the Board knew in the December that Gordon was for the off. Regrettably, they were slow to address the succession and we ended up with Tony Mowbray after a media circus.
Compare and contrast with the top clubs. The next man is in post before the incumbent knows what’s up.
In my view, Ronny was toast in November, certainly the necessity to replace him must have been apparent to all that mattered in December.
I would hope that 4 months down the line we would be some considerable distance towards having a new plan to implement.
Past experience though makes me less than fully confident…
TINYTIM
Matt Dickinson in the Times is reporting on David Bernstein resigning from Villa with immediate effect, saying their positions were untenable.
Mervyn King is quoted as saying “I thought Northern Rock was a toxic asset, but then I saw Aston Villa.”
If Moyes wants to go there, good luck to him.
Shows the quality/standard of our Board, that they have not acted inside 24hrs to halt the drastic slide / decline in our teams performances
Have heard many stories around the competence of many of our board
Have to say I now believe every word, which is even more worrying
A hugely disgusted Celtic fan, season ticket holder, shareholder etc, who is giving serious consideration as to whether I should renew my 2 season tickets
As it stands today it is No, I need to see drastic and decisive action / ambition and a bond prepared to act in union wth its fans
They are united, we are divided. You only have to read Phil McG’s pop (at who, P67?) for proof of that. We are on sh*t street I’m afraid. That is smart a*se Peter Lawwell’s legacy to Celtic. The company man who brought us the pantomime donkey of Ronny Dire and John Crawlins, has left us in our weakest state since 1994. In the most spectacular terms imaginable he has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
A charlatan and a fraud.
Good bhoy on Shortbread handing Keith Jingle Jangle Jackhun his ar$€ on a plate.
Ronny will be gone soon which means we don’t need to look at him anymore standing there in his tactical straightjacket.
Lawwell needs to go to. He has burnt his bridges with the support. There is no trust for Lawwell and no amount of spin from CQN will change that. Across the Celtic fanzines there is a loathing of Lawwell. Celtic has been extremely good for Lawwell and he has been extremely bad for the club.
As Man Utd had to with Fergies exit the CEO exit is a double change and a risk. However 2 new fresh leaders would galvanise the club. The decline and apathy will linger long. A league victory will be accepted with a shrug. The runner hits the road with CL qualifiers. Failure in those will drive thousands away from the club. The thought of playing Sevco 4 times a season with their sectarian bile is sickening. Lawwell and co see it as a financial redemption. We should never have mentioned £10m impact. We don’t need their hatred and sectarianism period. It shows the thinking of Lawwell that he is missing them financially.
Lawwell has done a bit like Zuma in South Africa ; Zuma has eliminated the youth and unions who put him in power. He already controlled the security services so although the ANC would like to replace him he has made himself all powerful as the country slides toward junk bond status.
It’s the same with Lawwell. He is an all controlling CEO ; a control freak. He has the manager and other football parts reporting directly to him. He runs the playing squad in / outs on an excel spreadsheet with all costs and a provision for his bonus.
The fans have lost trust in him in OBB, Res 12, football interference, SFA , selling every decent player we have. He has total control at Celtic —-now he must take total responsibility especially for appointing a clueless Norwegian who should be running a health food shop in his local fjord.
The alignment with Lawwell for the pitch to the fans is taking quite a time to prepare ; not a surprise really as how do you dress up this mess—- and symphony out another cool £1M when nobody is looking.
Lawwell take £5M and just go.
Moyes wouldn’t touch the Celtic job with a bargepole. We are a joke and only going in one direction with Lawwell and Desmond around.
This has been a wasted 4 years where we had the chance to build a team . Scunnered beyond belief.
—-
Hmmmm….
Ol’ Sofa Tunis Hauls His Ain Pu’ssonal “Ring Of Fire”..
Up Tae The Tap O’ Mount Etna.
Just When The Pacific Rim Is Actin’ Up ?
Some Kinda Religious Pilgrimage He’s On…..??
‘Mortification Of The Flesh’..??
‘Sacrificing The First Sausage O’ The Season Tae Ba’al..?’
Oh, The HUMANITY..!!
Trust me….There’s a song in there..
Somewhere..!
[ Is it no ‘Takin’-Coals-Tae-Newcastle’..
By the Animals ? Ed ]
AnusolExtraCSC
Ye Cannae Whack It..!!
~~~~
Matt be on guard for the parthenogenetic birds
nae cock soup required
pesky
Hapless at Hampdinah
Just saw Tom Rogic`s atrocious penalty on BBC News. I don`t think I imagined it but, just as Tom placed his standing foot on the ground, the turf seemed to lift and raise the ball resulting in an otherwise skillful player ballooning the ball. Did anyone else notice this?
This is of purely academic interest and is not a comment on the result.
JJ
I see the result is now folklore.
Rangers will be challenging Barcelona next season by the sounds of things.
If both those teams were put out next season exactly as is Celtic would win the league with a bit to spare
!!BADA BING!!
What did he say ?
JUNGLE JIM HOT SMOKED
Was a topic of discussion last night, it’s his standing foot that caused the movement.
JJ
It’s been well observed and discussed. Pick up John Rankin’s twitter account for example.
The turf moved under the weight of his planted foot. New pitch and all that.
Poor fella will feel no better for it.
Happened in one of the Euro Championships years ago involving Beckham, if you recall.
4GF-he told Jackhun he wouldn’t understand as he’s not a Celtic fan,press bias too.
Has the Great Absentee yet issued some profundity on the future of Celtic? If not. Why not?.
Why is RD still around? Every day he hangs about is a day less his successor has, even if they already a lost cause, the Euro Qualifiers,
BCW and TBB
Thank you both. Funnily enough, TBB, I did think of Beckham as I watched the incident.
JJ
Gebhoy 16.28 Ernie Lynch 16.39
My initial view was that I thought that they would be saved from going into liquidation.
But on many ,many occasions ,after they went into administration and before they were liquidated ,then after they were liquidated .
I posted that there would always be some form of Rangers ,that they represented the biggest tribe in Scotland ,and that the Hun would survive .
I still take the stance that the original Rangers did die .To be honest it has become a mute point because Celtic and the SFA have allowed the same club myth to continue.
But even if it wasn’t allowed to continue I was and am correct.
A form of Rangers has survived and to use the term I used several times on here “They will be our mortal enemies forever.”
That will only change if we leave Scottish football and they choose not to join us.
Which seems very unlikely.
I have also questioned the myth that we will have tens of millions more in finance than them ,when the new form of Rangers plays in the same league as us.
There is abreast possibility that they will sell between 5k and 15k more season tickets than us .
They will have the same potential for income from Europa League football.
The only difference for the next 5 years will be the lack of income from shirt sales due to the Sports Direct deal.
The increased Season ticket revenue at £450 per if it were 10k would amount to £4.5million pounds extra per season.
Now many have and will mock that notion.
But I’m telling you that is a very possible scenario.
Again I have stated this several times and been mocked for it.
But Ayebrokes will be full to the rafters ,funded by the rabid Hun,and hungrier for revenge than ever before.
Paul 67 and others think that they are a dead duck financially .
Well they will have an almost equal income stream to ours.
For those not going to renew your season tickets .
I implore you to do so and for you to implore your fellow Celtic supporters to do likewise.
Divided we will play second fiddle to the new Rangers.
As an ordinary fan I hope that you will follow me in your tens of thousands and renew.
Celtic need you more than ever ,Celtic need your money.
Boards ,and players will come and go.
But the Celtic support must remain supportive financially or they are going to be the people and we will be the beggars again.
TT