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.
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mickbhoy1888 on 16 April, 2012 at 18:55 said:
ibleedgreenandwhite @ 18:41
I imagine if you broadened your horizons beyond the internet and opened your eyes and ears a wee bit wider you would hear and see that theres a substantial number of Celtic supporters who can see through the smokescreen that is generated by Neil Lennon anytime things go against us and his tactics are questioned
Let me assure you that on leaving the stadium yesterday the main topic of conversation was not the penalty but of how Neil Lennon had got it wrong once again
Im not talking about tactics,,but while we are on the subject i think the team he picked yesterday was the wrong one!!
Im saying that Lenny was right to challenge the Ref at the end for blatant cheating!!
Hail hail
Viewing the ‘gif’ slo-mo video excerpt someone posted on here yesterday,I suspect that the Hearts player blasted the ball at Joe’s upper body,in the hope that it would strike an arm….and Norris could do the needful…
The strike was so clearly off-target that it could not have been a genuine attempt on goal…
In the event,the ball bounced behind Victor,then brushed his hand on the rebound…since he could not have seen the ball,how could it have been claimed that there was any intent….?
Or does Victor also possess ‘The Third Eye of Collum’..?
We should be told……
;-)
Alex Thomson coming up on StupidSnore Board
Why would we ever want to sign a thug like Black?
So Alex thomson live on Clyde now
ibleedgreenandwhite1
:) People referring to Neil Lennon and his, er, smokescreens, spring to mind :)
Dont listen to phone ins or are interesed what the laptoployal have to say but would appreciate if folks could keep blog updated with Alex Thomson comments
Breaking news….Alex Thompson reveals he is not Jesus Christ.
Oh dear..gerry on Clyde spluttering and stammering..out of his depth when faced with a proper journalist
Fortunes Favour Mibbes on 16 April, 2012 at 19:05 said:
ibleedgreenandwhite1
:) People referring to Neil Lennon and his, er, smokescreens, spring to mind :)
lol
:D
Hail hail
So the S.F.A want to set up their own league? Where does this leave the infamous sky contract with the S.P.L? It’s still to be signed, but when it is how many years will it be for?
And what happens if the huns, in whatever guise they be, go to the new league and we don’t or vice versa?
Go on Alex
Eloquent and composed so far from AT
Alex Thomson
OHHHH THAN K YOU
Hah. Sneevins crumbling already. This could be good right enough !
AT destroying HK
Alex ripping Hugh keevins a new bum hole
mickbhoy1888. Fella Lennie is Celtic through and through I am sure you would agree ? Now since he arrived in Scotland as a player he has suffered from abuse and hatred the same people who dished out the abuse and hatred stepped up there campaign against him when he became our manager.Now many people maybe even you and me would have walked away when our lives were threatend now Neil didnt do that he stuck with us and while having to fight his corner almost single handedly he is building a fine young team.Now ive allways been taught to stick up for my family and friends now I dont know Neil personaly but would call him a friend and would be happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and I know he would never let me down or run away.so for me he deserves my support and yes he will never be 100% right none of us ever are but he does not deserve so called Celtic supporters joining the attacks against him.H.H.
AT telling Keevins to do his job now,brilliant.Here come the Media House lies now…..
OMG The grovelling is sweeeeet
Oh lordy AT getting stuck in already to this nonsense “its no oor job to look into rangers…”
Get them Thompson!
Keevins just been destroyed,,,,ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!
Hail hail
How (and who) do you pay to get your “google” info deleted?? Good one, Roger. This is comedy gold :D
Get in there Tommo!!!
Sneevins & Hannah idiots
Joe Filippis Haircut on 16 April, 2012 at 19:09 said:
100% agree m8
Hail hail
Barcabhoy on 16 April, 2012 at 19:02 said:
I agree
67ECW
Sneevins is a diddy journo.
Hail Hail
Harry Redknapp is behaving himself at present,as he expects to be named as the next England Manager..
These 2 muppets are being left without a name here. Not got a leg to stand on. To the point where I’m amazed they agreed to let AT on…. Turkeys/Xmas etc…
Succulent lamb mentioned already!
AT….The fact is journalist have been so sycophantic to Rangers.
I didn’t know what Succulent Lamb journalism was.
Notthebus:
I added the stonewall bit in for dramatic affect. Be a generous Tim & allow me some license; particularly under the circumstances. It was more a Stonewall cobbled together in a hurry & with big gaps in it! Anyone who could even consider it a penalty might as well have said it was a Stonewall penalty.
LOL Actually glad I listened in now.
I’m sorry but those listening to Clyde are (nearly) as bad as those alleged fans phoning in. I’ve never ever listened to the phone in but goodness knows I have to read about it here. There is a touch of sado-masochism afflicting those that listen – what do you really expect to hear?!!! Just pop your hoops on, pour a glass of Rioja and google “Ibrox casino millions”
Keevins being ripped to shreds and losing his temper and dignity whilst Alex Thompson takes him apart with surgical precision.
Keevins now being lectured on “succulent lamb journalism”.Fantastic.
Keevin’s is awful quiet now! hahaha this is quality.