Good teams can score anywhere. Great teams can defend anywhere. Celtic have set a modern time record for lowest goals conceded in a league campaign of 17, beating the record jointly held by Martin O’Neill’s Celtic 13 years ago, and by Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in the 80s, by a single goal.
This is a remarkable achievement but the bald fact hides another story. We conceded 12 times in their first 17 league games of the campaign, but conceded only five in the remaining 21 games:
St Johnstone scored with a rebound after Gordon saved.
St Johnstone scored when Danny Swanson fired unstoppable shot.
Inverness scored with a rebound after Johansen blocked on line.
Kilmarnock scored a deflection from shot from outside box.
Dundee scored from a move which opened Celtic defence.
Unstoppable shots, or deflections, from outside the box are, from a defensive organisation perspective, irrelevant. If someone ‘buys a lottery ticket’ with a low percentage shot and it ends up in the net, you’ve no remedial action to worry about.
Two rebounds ended up in the net. We don’t make many goal-line clearances, by keeper or defender, so reacting to the second ball is worth doing when opponents get inside the Celtic box. Dundee scored an 87th minute consolation in a game they were completely out-thought. Perhaps a momentary lapse from a Celtic team who thought their work was done for the day.
That 17 goal tally, a record which stretches back 96 years, is largely a story of the last six months, but it’s been a different story in cup games over the same period, where we’ve conceded eight in eight games.
The roof fell in over in the first half against Inter Milan at Celtic Park. While the three goals could be put down to bizarre mistakes I suspect the real story is that we didn’t have the game-plan right for an opponent of that standard. The remaining game and a half against Inter was different, where we conceded only a single ‘lottery ticket’ goal.
Dundee United scored with a disputed penalty (let’s not get started) and Inverness scored three against 10 man Celtic. Those three Inverness goals contrast so sharply with the rest of the season that you could conclude that we don’t have a robust game-plan for playing with 10 men against domestic opposition. The earlier 10-man performance at the San Siro was a different (much better) story, but tactics for Inter Milan and for Inverness will always be so different they are not worth comparing.
The loss of Jason Denayer and potential loss of Virgil van Dijk provides Ronny with a real challenge to maintain or improve the defence next season, but as you will know if you’ve been paying attention for the last 10 months, it’s all about systems, not players, so there’s a lot to be hopeful about going forward…….. apart from the fact that the only goals we’ve conceded since the middle of December in all competitions were to players wearing blue or orange!
Happy Lisbon Lions Day!
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..in ole Dante’s ole inferno the lowest circle of Hell is reserved for those who refuse to get any enjoyment out of life.
Who was the ref who allowed Rangers to KO as Celtic were celebrating a goal? Any links to the incident?
Thanks,
JJ
Can’t believe I forgot to mention the ict lad who broonie tackled on the side line at the old stand side who then stood up and his shorts had fallen down.
Oh the smiles were many @ Paradise!
Was talking to my Dad when he was over yesterday and showing him the Wee Jay videos.
You might say that if you can judge a nation on how it treats its children perhaps you can judge a club on how it cherishes its most vulnerable.
So on Sunday the lap of honour is dominated by a child who taught us how to smile. And our ‘other child’s’ celtic Jersey is paraded by Lisa Hague. The wee Ghuy who taught us to fight adversity by running away from Broonie and giving Hoopy a giant hug.
HH jamesgang
Question marks about Izzy’s workrate.
Maybe that was me last night?
I remember saying he wasn’t a chase paper for you kind of player……
Id say we have 2 players that fit that category, Brown and Johansen.
That’s not meant as a criticism of his workrate.
I do think Izzy works hard up and down the touchline but he isn’t as energetic as those 2 imo and a bit of me would love to see every single one of our midfield like those 2.
Guess its that struggling to find the words thing again.
‘you can judge a club on how it cherishes its most vulnerable’
-so KevJ is off oot to feel the love?
Jamesgang –
KevJ sets the mood and you come on and start talking about nice things and happy things.
How dare you?
Jungle him 08.38
I think his name was Gordon and it was a match during the 1977/78 season ,played at Ayebrokes.
TT
Good Morning.
You may have seen that as Celtic were collecting their Premiership Trophy, the Herald and Record ran a ‘story’ suggesting FIFA had confirmed that Sevco is the same club as Rangers.
It turned out to be a load of rubbish. And here’s why…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/definitively-pish/
Enjoy the day!
thunder road
08:41 on 26 May, 2015
Question marks about Izzy’s workrate.
Maybe that was me last night?
——
It wasn’t you pal.
It was from this morning. Someone basically came out with ‘should try harder”
What you said was correct, clear and a Deffo plus point.
And a funny and accurate description of Joe Hanson and Broonie when he was young and daft and had too much energy!
So take that lavvy pot Aff yer heid buddy – no need for a tin hat!!!
:-)
HH jamesgang
I wrote a positive, considered response to Kevjungle and then just hit delete cos I thought – what’s the point.
One thing I will agree on – aff oot!
Laters Timdom
HH jamesgang
Kev
I am 58; have seen all the good and bad since the late 60s. The current squad dominate Scottish football in a manner not seen since the Lions. We have a bit to go yet re Europe but Ronnie is building something special.
I don’t know what you want from Celtic. A megaphone announcement from PL that the SFA are a bunch of dirty orange masonic bassas? That the huns are deid? We already know this. The fact that the fantasists from Govan won’t or can’t accept reality isn’t PL’s or DD’s fault.
Who has paid for our stadia throughout our history? The Kellys/Whites? It’s always been the fans. Let’s go back to the days when the directors’ children counted the turnstyle cash in the Whites’ living room eh?
If cheering 4 in a row while thems are struggling to get out of the 2nd division is putting up with pish, you should ask your older relatives about the good old days of the inter war years and the 50s/early 60s.
These are great days to be a Celtic fan. Enjoy, or at least shut up while the rest of us enjoy.
TT
Thanks. Now I just need a link!
ger57
A good post……but I fear it will fall on deaf ears.
JJ
JimmyQuinnsBits
00:43 on 26 May, 2015
Brian McNeill wrote some crackers, this… ma favourite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBLqHrqymNo
A mile fae Pentcaitland, on the road tae the sea,
Stands a yew tree a thousand years auld,
The auld people swear by the gray o their hair
That it knows what the future will hold,
For the shadows of Scotland stand round it,
‘midst the kail an the corn an the kye –
Aa the hopes an the fears of a thousand long years,
Under the Lothian sky.
My bonnie yew tree, tell me what did you see?
Did you look through the haze o the lang simmer’s days,
Tae the south an the far English border?
Aa the bonnets o steel on Flodden’s far field,
Did they march by your side in guid order?
Did you ask them the price o their glory
When you heard the great slaughter begin?
For the dust o their bones
Would rise up from the stones
Tae bring tears tae the eyes o the wind.
Did ye no think tae tell when John Knox himsel
Preached under your branches sae black
Tae the puir common folk who would cast off the yoke
O the bishops an priests fae their backs?
But you knew the bargain he sold them
An freedom was only one part,
For the price o their souls was a gospel sae cold
It would freeze aa the joy in their hearts.
Not once did you speak for the poor an the weak
When the moss troopers lay in your shade
Tae hide fae the thunder an count out the plunder
An share aa the spoils o the raid.
But you saw the smiles o the gentry
An the laughter o lords at their gains,
For when the poor hunt the poor across mountain an moor
The rich man can keep them in chains.
I thought as I stood an laid hands on your wood
That it might be a kindness tae fell you.
One kiss o the axe an you’re freed fae the wracks
O the sad, bloody tales that men tell you.
But a wee bird flew out from your branches
An sang out as never before,
An the words o the song were a thousand years long
Let’s learn them before many more.
My bonnie yew tree, tell me what do you see?
============================================================
JQB – I’m at work now, and can’t open your link, but I’ll have to listen to this later, as I’ve only ever heard Dick Gaughan’s cover of this great song. He also does a great cover of another brilliant Brian McNeill song, No Gods (and precious few Heroes). Two fantastic Scottish musicians!
HH
TR
In my opinion Izzy is up there with Johansen and Brown in his work rate mate. His link up play with Stokesy was effective but probably took 5 years aff his career :-)
There’s the bell.
Theclumpany,
Nice :)
To win in Europe you must be able to defend and at the moment neither Matthews or Izzy in my opinion are good defenders we do have cover for Matthews when Lustig returns but no real cover for Izzy.That is why I believe Ronnie is looking for a left back.We supporters can love a player and know he gives his all in every game but if he lacks quality in part of his game he will always be a weak link. H.H.
The Huns kicked off while 7 of our bhoys were celebrating in front of the jungle
Early 90s hateley was playing
cowiebhoy 21:40 on 25 May, 2015
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers 21:44 on 25 May, 2015
You both allude to a goal being scored against us when it was our corner. I can also remember Gary Hooper scoring after we broke way from defending a corner. That was with 11 men in the box.
It can happen, yes. And is more likely if you “keep men up”.
However, I go back to the fact that not conceding at corners is the primary objective and we have excelled in that respect with our 11 man zonal defending strategy. I don’t see a reason to jeopardise that.
JFH
I’m sure the same has been written many times on BarcaQuickNews about Dani Alves.
Few players are without shortcomings. Izzie’s is the cross field diaganol and his blind spot behind him at times. The former is now helped by VVD covering over a making the header. The latter comes down to concentration by izzy.
IMHO
HH jamesgang
Ole Doc Brattbakk would tell you if Izzy had the requisite pace, height and delivery, he wouldn’t be playing his football at Celtic Park, unless his Barcelona team were playing here in the Champions League.
Izzys stats are better than Virgil’s
Conclusion :)
Canamalar
There are lies, damned lies and statistics!
” yeez wull nevur silence the Voayce o’ th’ Brazen…………nuthun wull work oot……..evur….
membur the ishhoo isnae The Shellick………………in ma a-pinion……
it’s this Dear Green Place………Shellick Kwik Noooz…………..that is the prize.
…hink Kraig Thompshun as he puulls back play joost as Shellick scoot up ‘at park tae score! – ye foalayin’ me…!?”
As a forum for Celtic and Scottish Football opinion, we attract and repel all sorts but what unites us is the Love for Celtic.
No Love.
No Celtic………….
(He’s At it)
;)
HHH.
Izzy`s crossing has improved .
JJ
…..and I don`t mean the Father , Son thingy .
ger57,
Pick the stats you like :)
Izzy…like Stokes gives the ball away too often-too cheaply.
Think it was Syme who started the game as, Celtic players celebrated in front of the Jungle just after, John Collins scored a cracker into the Rangers end…think we won 2-1?
The mib who wave play-on at ibrokes was, JRP Gordon after the Celtic striker, Joe Craig had been hauled to the ground by huns centre-half Colin Jackson…a stonewall penalty…the mib allowed the play to rage on and…John Greig scored into the empty net at the Celtic end…sparking off a serious of riots at the Celtic end….I had to go up the back of the terracing to get away from the bottles and, on my way up the back…I met BT’s older brother and, some of the John Fallon CSC from Blantyre the best of folk.
Could Jeanette Findlay be Celtic’s answer to, Delia Smith…?
Sack the Kow-Towing Board and give the keys of Celtic FC to JF and…let hear appoint the appropriate folk….my ‘belief’ would be dragging me up Kerrydale Street to finally…re-connect with Celtic Football Club…not a rich-mans-toy being run by Churchill-nodding-dogs….Celtic without rebellion is P#SH!!!!
Phone-call…then back to the darkened room….dreading what’s coming down the track…so sad.
ger57
I enjoyed reading that post of your’s it was spot-on btw.
“Izzy…like Stokes gives the ball away too often-too cheaply.”
Get it framed, a footballing comment
Jungle Jim Hot Smoked @ 8:38…
The referee was Hope who re-started the game with most of the Celtic team celebrating in front of the jungle.
I have never seen footage of the incident however two photographs (taken from the main stand) brilliantly captured the scene and were published in the Celtic View.
………according to Jim.
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/jim-mcguinness-rt%C3%A9-need-to-draw-line-between-opinion-and-disrespect-1.2225646
Captain Beefheart .
Fiorentina ?
Bankruptcy saw them being liquidated and demoted ( from Serie B ) to Serie C2..The remnants were sold -new owner took control.
Stripped of their name/ their shirt and their badge .Forced to give all players a free transfer but players could transfer to the new club if they wanted . Most chose to go . New club was called Fiorentina Viola..
Won C2 and were promoted to Serie C1 . Given a place in a reconstructed Serie B..Owner of Fiorentina Viola bought the the rights to the Fiorentina name / colours etc for 2.5 million euros.. Promoted to Serie A in 2005. Relegated to Serie B for some hanky panky re Referees but were reinstated to Serie A ( with a 15 point penalty) following an appeal..
ger57 @ 8.53. Hear hear! Good to read a post from a genuine Tim with the club in his soul, although the irony is evident given your nom de blog.
There are more of US than there are of THEM.
Breaking News:
Robbie Keane and Eidur Gudjohnnsen spotted at Ross Hall
Breaking News:
Robbie Keane and Eidur Gudjohnnsen spotted at Ross Hall
————
Bloody O2 phone sending messages from 5 years ago…. ;)
clogher celt
23:21 on 25 May, 2015
Leftcllick,
Night.
Hope to see you here next year. If not at Celtic Park.
——
It will have to be at a game next year sir ,
As someone who has never set foot on Irish soil ,it was on my wee bucket list and 2016 seemed perfect time to do it,
Then my youngest daughter(blusher to those at the corner) announced she was getting married in April 2016,
“I’m delighted for ye” (honest) :))))) I said, is there anything wrong with the date “not at all ”
familiesCSC.
lymmbhoy
08:09 on 26 May, 2015
Good Video…….. Champions of Scotland
http://youtu.be/RPPS_mctlQE
HH
Thank you for that wee vid
The kick off while celebrating was the last game vs rangers in 92/93 I’m pretty sure. We won 2-1 with Payton and maybe a CH scoring. Don’t remember theirs. That was their uber season so a big win for us. I was in the Celtic end near the stand si was shouting ‘they’re behind you!’
There was another interesting incident (not often mentioned) with regards to the controversial refereeing decision referred to earlier, namely the J R P Gordon (Newport on Tay)decision to deny Celtic a penalty in the January 1978.
Such was the anger, not to mention the bewilderment, of the Celtic playesr at the decision they refused to take re-start the game and kick-off. If my memory serves me correctly, Tom McAdam actually kicked the ball off the centre spot as the protest continued.
Eventually Jock Stein sent Neilly Mochan on to to the pitch to instruct the team to take the kick-off.
Of all the “honest mistakes” visited upon us by officialdom over the years this incident was the closest we came to calling them out – and it was Jock’s call.
An opportunity missed perhaps?