Overall I was pleased with many aspects of Celtic’s play yesterday. We dominated large parts of the game and got in and around the Hearts penalty area often enough to score the proverbial barrel load.
Hearts scored a good goal. The flick from Beattie and run from Skacel were both exquisite, although a deflection off the blameless Kelvin Wilson was crucial. Enough has been said about the second Hearts goal already. Defensively we were good.
Midfield also played well, to a point, forcing Hearts into retreat for all but the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Ki Sung-Yueng should have scored twice but he’s never been a player for back post headers and I was more surprised he found himself in that position than he missed both opportunities. He is a player who continues to impress.
The question we should turn our attention to is why Celtic didn’t score more goals?
It is probably not an exaggeration to suggest Emilio Izaguirre is the best left back at the club in 30 years. Skilful and intelligent in possession, Celtic look composed when he is on the field, but he’s being kept out of the team by a free transfer from Aberdeen because Charlie Mulgrew is manufacturing the most crucial item in the game – goals.
I’m close to advocating ‘Give the ball to Charlie’ tactics. He has the ability to fire in remarkably dangerous crosses and has an instinctive awareness that the purpose of the game is to score goals. Kris Commons shares this awareness but Kris has had a wretched season and is still rescuing his game from injury and early season loss of form.
In these circumstances, Neil Lennon cannot afford to play Izaguirre if it involves dropping Mulgew as this would severely hamper Celtic’s ability to put the ball in the net. If the manager wants to use Emilio, particularly in Europe next season when retaining possession will be crucial, Charlie has to play left midfield.
Scoring goals is the primary responsibility of the strikers. None of Celtic’s current crop are impressing at the moment, but we need to look further upstream first.
We have an outstanding original canvass painting of Neil Lennon available for purchase on eBay to kick start our summer charity fundraising. This year the beneficiaries will be Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Martin Chambers Foundation and The Neuroblastoma Alliance, Aberdour PS PTA, The Haven, Blantyre. The painting, by US based artist, Joseph Gormley, is an outstanding memento of our manager during these times.
Buy a hard copy of CQN Magazine, issue 7, by clicking on the button below. You can read online here.
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Is alex thomson on channel 4 tonite…….hopefully still investigating and exposing everything thats corrupt………..how the hell did rat face dallas get a post with uefa….i would have thought he would not have been deemed a fit and proper person……i liked craigy whites views on ogivilie …he sees them for what they are….hees not goin to take any of their crap…good on you graigy
Goodbye rangers its hard to die with all the birds singing in the sky…
7.1CSC
neveralone on 16 April, 2012 at 17:08:
Firstly, compliment you on your post on previous thread, a balanced view. Secondly, I agree thought Lustig overall equipped himself well yesterday but felt his crossing could have been better.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Mr.Miller.. The American..
Carries.. even Mair.. Hotel Cutlery and Bath Towels.. in his
Baggage… than..
Whytie.. did!!!
and. fur that Reason Alain..
Ah wid Welcome Mr.Miller’s Interest in Getting his Slimy Paws.. oan the Ibrox Wobbly Enterprise…
Kojo
Still Laughin’.. and Salivatin’ aboot.. Watching oor Euro Games . next Season..
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 16 April,17:04
Laziness mixed with contempt for the readers
topkat on 16 April, 2012 at 17:13 said:
Is alex thomson on channel 4 tonite
======
He is a guest on on Radio Snyde – could be interesting.
topkat, 17:13
He’s in Glasgow filming some comedy gold on how Rangers treat their creditors
O.G.Rafferty on 16 April, 2012 at 17:16
This is an exercise in picking out your favourite jobby after a dump. lets leave it there ;-)
Hail Hail
Bhoys
I’ve had enough of RFCIA and Bill Ng. I want to hear more about RFCIA and Pay Ng for their crimes.
Paul
“defensively we were good” ?
I cannot agree. Wilson and Loovens as a central pairing says it all. Wilson is doing his best to reignite the “Bombscare” tag once coveted by Mr Tebily.
As for midfield, I’m afraid if your striker (Hooper) is not in the box because he’s 20 yards further back battling for the ball, there is something wrong. Fluidity are not strong points insofar as Brown and Ledley are concerned.
Billy
Mr. Ng first name is the common Chinese name Run
Hail Hail
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo, 17:17
With a hole in your marigold
Pic of ole Dick at his most desirable, ie serving with new balls.
O.G.Rafferty on 16 April, 2012 at 17:20 said:
;-)
ok lads til laters
Hail Hail
TinyTim on 16 April, 2012 at 16:14 said:
”Keep your ego….. in check”
I thought you were being serious until I got to that bit. Very good.
It reminded me a bit of a Giles Coren article in one of the Sunday papers about the jailing of the London riot arsonist Gordon Thompson. You had to read it a couple of times to realsie it was a send up, a parody, of the all too predictable response to the subject by so many of his fellow hacks. This gives a flavour of it.
‘I feel sorry for Gordon Thompson because he is about to do 11 years for acting out the unexpressed desires of the Labour front bench.’
malceye on 16 April, 2012 at 17:19:
Spooky, somebody commented to me yesterday how Wilson reminded him of Tebilly.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Awe Naw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKdz5feVGKw
HAIL HAIL
tomthelennytim oglach-my first thought too bhoys,ratings war.
Tiny Tim
Have to agree about Dave Ki.
Should have scored with the headers but his passing and general play was excellent. His control and shot in the box in the second half was the best bit of skill and technique the whole game (although it whizzed narrowly over).
He will only get better and European games will suit him greatly.
”@bbcjimspence: Big breaking story coming up on Sportsound at 6.10pm don’t miss it. It has implications for everyone in football in Scotland.”
If it’s that big a story I’m sure we’ll hear about it again.
I’ll be listening to Alex Thomson on Clyde.
leftclicktic
copy right violation on that one for me :-(
Hail Hail
Lennybhoy
that what gets me about STUPID STUPID orcs having fly wee digs when their club is dying on its feet.
I just ask them what did you when Murray & Whyte were killing your club ? cue silence ,then WELL WHAT DID YOU DO???????.
Works all the time STUPID STUPID orcs
HAIL HAIL
ernie lynch, 17:24
He’s on at 7.00
traditionalist88 on 16 April, 2012 at 17:06 said:
Mate got this from the club:
‘Celtic Away Shirt – Available to pre order from the 26/04/2012
Launched on the 24/05/2012
Celtic Home Shirt – Launched on the 05/07/2012
That’s what one of the staff at the superstore told me a couple of weeks ago. There will also be a new third strip due out in September.
awe Naw
it was just the youtube vid
“the huns are going bust seasons in the sun”
HAIL HAIL
RobertTressel Re Ki.
I would disagree with your viewpoint about him being the metronome in the middle.
When it comes to games where there is a war to be won in the middle, he lacks the grit needed. Whether this comes with age, I hope so.
He is a fine young player who would stand out for a mid league EPL team where there are precious extra seconds on the ball. When Hearts tired and space opened up later in the game, his contribution was there to be seen.
SPF
Ah wid like tae Chuck this wan in the Pool..and see if it
Floats!
“Why Don’t we Bring Back… Skippy??”
Ah aywiz liked him..
Is he available..??
Hey Neil… why doncha Check that oot.
Kojo
Still Laughi’n and Happy,,, as …weel.. Anything!
Paul67
I’m glad Ki continues to impress you. No need to drop Charlie Mulgrew, drop liability Wilson from the middle put Charlie there and put the best left back in the past 30 years in his natural position seems simple enough. With VW , JL in the team it is easy for Charlie to get forward for his very effective set piece deliveries and executions. Izzy also provides excellent service from advanced positions on the left flank. Seems simple in my humble opinion.
Kayal33
nice one, wouldn’t mind seeing them soon, got a bad feeling Nike are going to disappoint, which would be a shame for the 125th anniversary.
HH
ki is the least consistent player we have, even at 22, a professional footballer knows he has to earn his money.
Izzy, is jist no Back. He needs a Good Few Pre Season Woik Oots ,afore he wull be Back tae his Best.
Neil,knows this.. Ah know This..
But..’
Obvioulsy, A loata Fellahs oan here..
Don’t.
Kojo
Still Laughin..and Happy,,,, and Jist …Luvving It!
Kojo Re Skippy
Not for me.
yer pal,
SPF
My Dear Kojo@16:22
I totally concur with your excellent team selection…
It can only be a matter of time before you occupy your rightful place in oor dugout…
And I’m sure you would set the standard for sartorial elegance….
Stylish fedora,and loose-fitting dark suit..Like Spencer Tracey in the excellent “Bad Day At Black Rock” ?
Charlie Mulgrew is a CB..period !
Right? Right !
Even Virginia could tell you that…!!!!
Ki was not the worst yesterday. I think we have a group of good young midfielders in Ki, Ledley, Wanyama and Kayal but they are all similar in that they prefer to sit deep and play short simple passes. Nothing wrong with that but we need a playmaker who can play in front of two of them and create the chances. None of our central midfielders create many chances, all of our danger comes from the flanks (full backs or Forrest)
Skippy and Kris Commons could model the XXXL size in the ‘third strip’
ernie lynch thanks for clearing up that as couldnt face coming on ere last night seeing the usual that gets posted after a defeat.
Will let my son know as he was goin of his heid about it.
Lets party last few home games and cant wait to see the The Good Foundation (Thai Tims) live at Paradise.
One thing that concerned me yesterday was a distinct lack of shape.
I heard Alan Thompson being interviewed after the game stating that it 442 with Hooper and Sammi up front. If that was the case then Commons should have been playing left in a 4 man midfield.
I lost count of the number of times Mulgrew picked the ball up and had no one to play it down the line to. I think this was what caused him to be caught in possession a couple of times because he was forced into turning back with no alternative ahead of him.
I honestly couldn’t have told you where Sammi, Hooper and Commons were meant to be playing half the time. I don’t think it confused the opposition but it sure as hell bamboozled me!
Chris McLaughlin@BBCchrismclaugReply
#Celtic striker Anthony Stokes spoken to by ref after Sunday’s match. Will appear in his report