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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If RD sacked rumours are true, then he must go now.
We are playing a dangerous game with the league, IMO.
HH
CRC
Will some of you stop saying we could lose the League. It’s making me nervous. Ain’t going to happen.
Shooie
Thats all true, but the biggest truth is er are abject and getting worse.
I told my bhoy today that we might not be back next season.
He’s disappointed and wants to see the Celtic but not against the zombies after that hatred yesterday.
Next season I’m sure kids need to buy zombie tickets even if they have a season ticket.
Can adults get a season ticket discount that excludes them?
P.S. Celtic My bhoy was charged £10 yesterday. I wonder what kids will pay to watch the zombies at Paradise?
If Celtic have terminated Ronny’s contract???
He must be removed immediately. Managers working notice, rarely perform.
Get Davie Hay and Tom Boyd to lead the team to the title.
If it wasn’t precarious enough for the Plc to attract back current st holders, appointing the racist Malky mackay would def be the end of all association for me. Not only would that tarnish further the club, but also the large number of fine upstanding supporters who embrace our original ethos every single time it’s required.
Very impressed wit Spurs tonight
Thetimreaper
Its a possibility.
How would anyone act at work, if you knew you were for the off ?
How’d you react if you learnt a failed manager was still the boss ?
We need to rebuild that connection to the manager whoever he is and do it quick. When we are all connected we are at our strongest. At the same time we need someone who is close to the current situation , knows the players and the Scottish game, particularly the game played by the media. We need someone who fights back and takes nothing from no-one and stands his corner.
We need a man with a cause and who gets us. A man with experience of players in other leagues who might make an impact
I’d take Neil back in a heartbeat
Big Cup
I agree but sometimes you need a break, the two refereeing decisions I mention don’t happen to everyone !
Lenny as stand in manager..makes sense to me..
Go tell the spartim
You are being selective there, sir.
Even better I’d love to see Lennon, Sutton and Hartson as the the management team and in that dressing room each week
Very impressed with Spurs tonight.Fast skillful and incredible fit looking. Stokes reaction is to bring on Charlie Adam who looks like a pub regular in a football top.
TGCW
Me too. Spurs playing like champions elect.
Spurs do indeed look good tonight but would pochettino get the same treatment as RD, I certainly think so
Let Ronny leave a winner, let him learn he has to dump the people who undermined him this season.
Can’t believe NFL would take the gig short term.
Davie Hay, is he a young 68 ?
BCW
In what regard? MM? Not for me I’m afraid, but very few think along the same lines as me.
On the Scott Allen debate many players struggle in an unsuitable team.
At Barcelona Neymar struggled till Enrique arrived and played him in a position suited to his talents .
Look at DiMaria at Man Utd his game is back at PSG.
Jock Stein had the knack of playing guys in a team with a role suited to their skill set.
Young Jackson Irvine had many Celtic fans lamenting his release after dominating in recent semi.
We never knew if he was good enough because he was never given a chance.
Allen could fit into all of the above categories but until given a proper run in his suited position we should not judge.
Likewise Armstrong who has been played out of position the entire season.
Both their exclusions from the preferred central midfield roles is baffling when we have watched the dross there for the whole season contribute to our issues.
Until players get a fair chance lets not judge.
Neil Lennon back as manager ?
Not for me.
He had the job and walked away.
Now, he just takes the media’s 30 pieces of silver and toes the party line.
Isn’t everyone being presumptuous about Ronny winning a treble last year if it wasn’t for the hand ball incident.
We would still have had to play a final.
Spartim
Your objection to Malky is his racism ?
Ponder that.
Having read the blog and each have their own preferences to take over, is there one stand out candidate that would excite us all?
Maestro
Surely you would fancy us to beat Falkirk to win a treble? :)
The maestro
My shout, let’s just say we would have had a fair chance of it, the point being both decisions were absolutely shocking and vital as it turned out, he has certainly been unlucky in that regard.
DD
I wouldn’t fancy us to beat a drum
BCW
Was he not found guilty of a racially motivated violation? Am I misinformed, if so then I’ll retract it, still wouldn’t have him as manager though.
Spartim
Don’t think we would all agree on 1 person but think it’s the management team that’s ever more important. Ronny didn’t have his own team, probably his own fault. MON had his team, as did Strachan and Neil
I’d love Neil, Hartson and Sutton in that dressing room
Maestro
Sad to read that. I would not put a shilling bet on Celtic just now sadly.
Crowd pleasing management appointment ….?
MON with Keane and Lenny as his side kicks .. What a great 6 months that would be…
Hopefully the reports from Norway are legit but with an 8 point lead and
5 games left surely the guy deserves to see out the next four weeks. Sacking a manager in this position is ridiculous.
Spartim
Malky McKay would be high on my list.
He without sin cast the first stone.
I don’t believe he is a racist.
Article TV2 published after breaking story.
Ronnie away at end of season.
https://t.co/kxxQIWmfEn
Ross County on Sunday, should be easy but I don’t think many would put their mortgage on a home win.
SFTB
Are you admitting you called it wrong regarding Ronny?
I posted several times the manager should go after the EK game.
Yourself, Winning Captains and Clunks, who told me to man up and stop being a woman, all disagreed with me.
We’ve since drawn with Hamilton, Dundee twice and lost our 3rd semi final in a row to a lower league Sevco.
Pintaguinness
I think someone posted earlier, SFTB perhaps, that he needed someone he could trust as his right hand man/ woman. Certainly someone who could turn to him and say, this ain’t working change it.
I’m sure we will know in the coming weeks what hand we’ve been dealt, tbh we’re usually a forgiving/optimistic support
Now is time to welcome back the king of kings.