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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I know….Lets sign Carlton Cole.
Surely that is a stroke of genius.
On second thoughts…maybe sunstroke
Fools and their flights of fancy…..and paid huge wages for being fools as well
What a fecking job that is.
And remember, dont drink the KOOL-AID
HH
Morning Bhoys a lovely morning here in Central Scotland.I feel sorry for Ronny this Morning the story being leaked that he has come to an agreement to leave at the end of the season for me is a poor one.What will the atmosphere be like for the last five games both in the dressing room and on the park it really could cost us dearly. I think Ronny should have gone right away and an intrim manager put in place for the last 5 games and hopfully win the league. Ronny will leave with my best wishes I am sorry it hasnt worked out for him. H.H.
I remember when Ronny first came we were promised “attacking, exciting and entertaining football”.
I also think he could develop young players.
More players should be coming through from the development squad, which makes me think why do we sign so much dross?
Is someone making money on this?
If we had played on Sunday with 3 or 4 youngsters like KT, the result would have been more tolerable because we could at least see a plan.
What on earth is our plan?
TD67
When you posted under the TD67 moniker, you were adament that the board wanted nothing to do with Res 12.
Now you are saying they back it, FACT.
I wonder what’s changed.
themaestro72
Is someone making money on this?
——————————————————————-
Dudu Dahan doesn’t know what you are talking about. Ridiculous suggestion…
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:11 AM
Boris is as unprincipled and self serving in his political life as he is in his personal life.
Yet the mugs lap it up.
Paul Lambert on SSN talking about how he’s been unable to contact the owners of Blackburn to discuss his or the clubs future. Think he is out of there. Another name to the list.
TGM,
You have your views and you are passionate about them. Nothing wrong with that.
Two questions if I may :-
Are the fans who sang about Carlton Cole also fools ?
To get rid of DD and subsequently PL, who will buy our majority shareholder out ?
Absolutely not a dig my friend, just curious.
HH.
THEMAESTRO72 on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:31 AM
Of course someone is making money on this.
For months I have been asking just who.
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:30 AM
The decision to leak the story that he’s leaving at the end of the season is either an act of cowardice or an act of sabotage, depending on the source.
THEGLASGOWCELTICWAY on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:36 AM
Paul Lambert on SSN talking about how he’s been unable to contact the owners of Blackburn to discuss his or the clubs future. Think he is out of there. Another name to the list.
———————————–
Probably the best shout yet .
HH.
FFS…Putting PL in charge of anything relating to football whatsoever is like leaving the Happy Mondays in charge of a Pharmacy.
Insane.
HH
No world shaking pronouncement yet from the Great Absentee.
ERNIE LYNCH on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:37 AM
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:30 AM
The decision to leak the story that he’s leaving at the end of the season is either an act of cowardice or an act of sabotage, depending on the source.
The problem is that the story should have been that he is already gone.
GREENPINATA
Its the fool who sanctioned the Carlton Cole deal i refer to.
Not Celtic fans who back the players.
As for who will replace the PLC…..oh my god, what will we do without them eh.
I will tell you what we do…..Get better people.
The myths have been shattered.
Change is inevitable….Lets get on with it.
There are no excuses left….none whatsoever.
HH
Some banging the drum for the CT, not me I’m afraid, but of course you all know that, they about everything Celtic the wrong way in my opinion, first thing they need is a PR department, I’v seen them in action at the AGMs cringeworthy to say the least, pompous arrogant bullies, who take liberties with the position they have as a trust, finger pointing, name calling, personal abuse it’s not a pretty site, but the thing that gets to me is they get away with it and know they can, parliamentary procedure and protocol are out the window,.
I watched a video with one of the CT committee members appearing on it at Holyrood on the OBA there was no strutting, demonstrated, no abuse, no arrogance, no pompous behaviour at all, in fact the person more than held her ground and got her job done, and I said that at the time, I said ah! There are two Jeanette Findleys, we (CFC) got the playground bully unfortunately, now I don’t know the lady and I’m sure she’s a very nice person but in parliament she knows protocol and minds her manners, at Celtic AGMs she dose nothing to help her or the CT image in my opinion that is and neither do any of her followers, as I said it’s the way I see it a change of tact would prob. Help them, although I’v spoken to a couple who belong to the CT and it’s a tough gig, feck me do they love a debate, is it the Uni. Thing in them? Who knows,? Bottom line is they just go a Wee bit OTT.
CFC back res12
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs.
ERNIE LYNCH. I agree we appear as a club hell bent on tearing ourselves apart.We should clearly on finance alone be the top club in Scotland far and away ahead of all others the fact that we are not is a disgrace. H.H.
What is the problem with leaking the story.?
Even the dogs on the street know RD’s current position is untenable in the longer term. Mutual amicable consented parting of the ways rather than sacking a manager who has just won the league— Again is now our aim.
HH.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:37 AM
You are the first man to make me smile since Sunday
Great line
67ECW
YNOT67
ask your daughter if its the uni thing. get a grip.
67 European Cup Winners
If i dont laugh….i will be in tears.
So…i will throw a few gags in…to lighten the mood a bit:)
HH
So it’s ‘leaked’ that Ronny goes at the end of the season. I’m amazed the Record haven’t run with it but I guess their readership wants the RD train to continue so editorially not in the good news bracket for them.
IMHO sets up the chance to create change :
1. Lose Ronny and his staff.
2. Lose Park.
3. Somehow facilitate Lawell (who I guess we still want to return on the investment we’ve put in on putting him into the admin of the game. Maybe he’ll take over at Hampden).
then :
4. New management team. Please no more OF managers but a Euro guy with a plan, system and some pedigree.
5. New football structure.
6. Clearout of old guard aka Brown, Commons, Mulgrew, Lustig, etc
7. Decent player budget and signings with pedigree.
Gives us momentum and sells season books but does it make and mend with the fans ?
Will that be enough given all the Res 12 stuff and the unfinished business with Oldco ?
Interesting close season coming up. Paul67 is gonna need a bigger server methinks…..
Ah well a lovely sunny day the outdoors are becking it may take my mind of Celtic for an hour or two. H.H.
YNOT67,
Auldheid and P67 both made comments to you on here yesterday about talking about Res 12, and you perhaps betraying a confidence.
Maybe you didn’t see the comments?
Paradoxically the huns that call themselves ” Rangers” playing in the top league for the first time may raise our profile and help generate a higher caliber manager.
Use the bassas.
HH.
YNOT67
The FBI Story
Edgar J Hoover and the G Men
Did you ever see that film when you were a kid?
Or did you ever catch Joe McCarthy in action?
Tony
PR is not what we need first, that’s a reactive and defensive role that reflects our current weak position.
Get a coach with a system, a structure that supports the football side always, a scout with an eye for talent and a team that works its sox off and overperforms given its relatively modest budget (Euro-wise and not domestically)….
Morning all,
Haven’t been on since Sunday’s defeat but there’s not much I can add to what’s already been said. The one thing that I will say is that people are getting a wee bit carried away with how good Sevco were. They were competent and they tried to do much of the right things but apart from the early goal (which was fortuitous) and the wonder strike just how many saves did Gordon have to make? We beat ourselves our Sunday, pure and simple, just like we did home and away to Molde and over the two legs against Malmo.
Looking forward it’s clear that Ronny will be gone almost immediately after May 15th (hopefully having delivered 5IAR). I find it hard to believe that Lawwell will go with him but he probably realises that this is his last chance to rectify the mistakes made over the last few years. Has he got it in him to reflect, be self-critical, and make the required changes? For example, will he appoint a manager who has complete autonomy over all footballing matters or will it be another ‘yes’ man? We shall wait and see.
For what it’s worth I would like to see Steve Clarke as manager. He has a wealth of experience with Chelsea and Liverpool (both domestic and European of course) as well as amassing a record points tally as manager of West Brom. I think he is a pragmatic manager who can gets results but I understand he’s also a very highly rated coach who can improve players.
I’d be happy enough with Brendan Rogers as well but can’t see it happening.
If we couldn’t get Clarke or Rogers I’d be happy to see Paul Lambert get the chance.
Dark horses – Jim McIntyre, Robbie Neilson, Sean Dyche (doing a remarkable job with Burnley in a gruelling league).
Moyes – I’m unsure how I’d feel were he appointed (think he’s overrated).
Lenny, O’Neill (Michael or Martin), Keane etc – no thanks.
THE EXILED TIM on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:32 AM
TD67
When you posted under the TD67 moniker, you were adament that the board wanted nothing to do with Res 12.
Now you are saying they back it, FACT.
I wonder what’s changed.
Well to be honest I was only going on what one of the resolutioners posted that Celtic walked away from it, I’v had very very good information that CFC have done no such thing and are 100% behind it, SO someone’s telling porkies or put a spin on it, I’m told CFC are keeping shtum on it as it may harm certain court cases, and that I get totally, some won’t like this, but as I said lets just see my source is usually bang on.
CFC back res12
I knew it wouldn’t be long before the – “mr emperor, that outfit looks great on you, and your bum doesn’t look big in it at all” brigade are mobilised on here blaming the Celtic Trust for everything.
That Celtic trust what are they like eh? Writing letters to the SFA for clarification after a bad refereeing decision cheated us but following it up with radio silence, throwing lucrative contracts at a procession of duffers like Wakaso cole ciftci bangura Amido balde Mouyokolo Gershon brozek el kaddourri Tonev pukki scepovic et al. And telling the fans to “behave themselves.”
Terrible bunch of rascals so they are.
And quite definitely the cause of all that is wrong at Celtic.
ERNIE LYNCH on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:34 AM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 19TH APRIL 2016 9:11 AM
Boris is as unprincipled and self serving in his political life as he is in his personal life.
Yet the mugs lap it up.
==================================================
My reference to Boris was flippant.
Basically if Che supports Brexit then I`ll agree with him .
An issue beyond party preferences.
I forgot to say that despite not wanting to entertain the notion of Lenny or Martin returning if someone said that Strachan would be at the helm again I’d actually be delighted (given the job he did previously and the fact that he now seems a better manager than he was when he left). Fancy that.
TGBS
Yeah that Celtic Trust….How very dare those marxist malcontents and Keir Hardie type socialist fanatics…send a letter of complaint.
National Service i think…would do the blighters the world of good.
I believe they are even reading books now.
Down with this sort of thing:)
HH
BIG WAVY
To me we lack motivation I don’t think RD or JC are in that department, and Jfh just plods away, even on the park it’s noticeable no leadership, that’s as far as I go with negativity, not slagging anyone just an observation.
What a mess, Is Ronny going today, tomorrow or next month. Perhaps the bonus thief should get the trackie on and lead us out on Sunday and take a bow in the centre circle.
An almighty gamble if Ronny’s been told he’s away but just secure the league before you go.
Anything less than 3 points on Sunday with Hearts and sheep to follow , i get the feeling the players, management and board ain’t in for an easy ride.
Celtic Evolution
19 April 2016
People close to Celtic Supremo, Peter Lawwell, have claimed Celtic are poised for a football evolution. Lawwell, having received a special bonus for the successful reintroduction of the Old firm rivalry, has been given the green light for his plans. Delia will be allowed to leave after successfully keeping the club on it’s downward spiral towards their eternal rivals, The Rangers.
John Park will take over as a manager and is set to introduce a stunning new football formula. Out go the outdated methods used by lesser clubs. Celtic has been in talks with Japanese robotics firm Bakageta Kangae who will provide Park’s backroom staff. Players will be expected to follow statistic based training schedules and forego the use of footballs in training. The Celtic insider stated “footballs are just seen to get in the way of good stats so we will do without them. This also has an added benefit of reducing costs. The board are very excited about the plans.”
The squad will be increased to 55 players. The insider went on, “The scatter gun approach to signing players has worked in the past but we have learnt that it’s better to widen the field in the hope of finding a player who knows how to pass to a team-mate.”
In a further development the club will be sponsored by EuroMillions, the lottery company. The insider said, ” There is about as much chance of us winning the euro millions as any regular gambler who buys a lottery ticket. So we see it as a perfect fit.” The stadium will be sponsored by top accountants Deloitte as they have recognised the value of Celtic’s international reputation in cost cutting, balance sheets and sums.
Not to be out done, Old Firm rivals The Rangers will name their stadium after Arthur Andersen, who will verify their accounts as well.
My hope is the board are forced to go for a manager of decent pedigree. If they have any accord with the support they know this is needed now. With said manager insisting on more control over player recruitment. I really hope this debacle will be a turning point.
The rough diamond strategy is failing us on the pitch. We have regressed at an alarmingly rate in Europe. We buy projects rather than players. When you look at all the players we have vying for the attacking central midfielder role (Commons, Rogic, Armstrong, Allan, Christie and arguably MacGregor) and yet no one to challenge Griffiths, Armstrong forced to play on the wing and a lack of a big physical defensive mid, it is farcical.
It has been a tough shift for Ronny Deila, in my opinion he is only a bit part player in all of our issues. Nevertheless, even considering the limitations and the players at his disposal, he still should have done / be doing better. I wish him all the best in the future.
Stating the obvious here, however over the last 5 years we have implemented a recruitment policy that had early success. Over that 5 year period there has been a shift in the supply curve meaning that there are less quality players available at our set budget level. Transfer fees have risen significantly in the last 5 years. Very poor players are bought and sold for amounts that their ability does not merit. At our current budget level, we inevitably end up with a fair few of those players.
My point is, whoever the new manager may be, he is going to need better players than what is on offer. Either realign the transfer budget or devise a new recruitment policy.
I don’t know where the extra money would come from, or what a new, innovative recruitment policy would look like. Peter Lawwell is paid incredibly well to come up with those answers. Will he?