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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Dontbrattbakkinanger
10:34 on 26 May, 2015
“Next time you’re off oot you could always pick up some perspective.”
__________________________________________________________
Aye….after you…
Official Site
Tens of thousands of fans have signed up to do it all again next season, having renewed their Season Ticket for 2015/16 before Friday’s deadline. Such was the rush in the last few days that we’ve extended the window for renewals until this Friday, May 29 at 5pm.
That means it’s still not too late for current Season Ticket holders to retain their seat for the season ahead before it is released on general sale next week.
Those who have purchased their Season Tickets will have the opportunity to relocate their seats on Saturday, May 30. The Ticket Office opening hours for relocation day will be 9.00am until 4.00pm.
Relocations will only be available at the Ticket Office or by calling 0141 230 1967.
BMCUWP
I was trying to think of a smart reply to you but I had to clean my keyboard after reading BSRs cut’n’paste from Jacko’s DR masterpiece. Comedy gold.
There are so many wonderful phrases in the article, not least the ..”bring an end to this long running saga..” Oh my sides.
And to think the tube has been Sports Journalist of the year TWICE since then. I wonder how many shirts Jacko has burnt leaving his irony on too long.
TheClumpany @ 08:48
Great article on the ‘same club’ myth.
I stated back in 2012 that the loss of their beloved history would be unthinkable and unacceptable to the Hun hordes who predominantly still live in the 17th century. Their ability to claim the then unalterable ‘world record’ 54 titles would eventually fade as we inevitably surpass that number. This is also unthinkable to the Hun hordes.
The confirmation of their ‘new club’ status would be the final forced acceptance of their demise and rebirth. They find this fact abhorrent as it is then forever etched into their precious ‘history’.
I cannot understand why this question has not been put to bed once and for all. Why is everyone dancing round the handbags?
Who is the definitive arbiter in this case – Scots Law? SPFL? SFA ? UEFA? FIFA? – and how do we force a definitive, irrevocable resolution – a judicial review ?
That’s why I was proposing asking the question of the Club board’s at the AGM under ‘questions from the floor’. No glib comments, no company speak, just “es or No – are the club playing in Govan a new club ?”
If nothing else, the fallout might end this farce and we move on with vindication.
Aye….the more money ye give them…
the bigger the ride ye’ll get….
……oot.
embramike says “the Huns are Deid”
Always remember to pick up the Huns on the 54 titles myth. One was shared with Dumbarton.
They had 53 and a half and then went the way of 3rd Lanark.
LB
Keith Jackson’s got the same initials as Kev Jungle
KevBhungle just a wee observation, you,re a wee bit smarter than some give you credit for but nowhere near as clever as you think you are. IMO H H Hebcelt
KevJ –
We don’t need to know about your private life thank you.
:-)
hebcelt
glad to be of service
I have a few more up my sleeve
People’s Friend Ultras, led by the J.Campbell Kerr Martyrs Battalion, have fallen foul of FOCUS after a love darg was seen to involve lateral movement.
Generally speaking you’ll find the best laxative salesmen are just regular guys.
LiviBhoy – Great post, I’ve been there with the 3 of mine and the memories never leave you….
Some great posts and banter on the aul CQN this morning.
What wonders winning a Championship with a bit of panache can do.
Stand-up for the Champions.
whitedoghunch defo interested in a few more. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Rumours are rife that, should Murderwell derail thems “journey”, league reconstruction will be implemented prior to the start of next season; for the good of Scottish football you understand. A 16 team top league which presumably would include thems and QoS.
PL has already firmly stated this will not happen, but who knows? Question. Would the clubs involved in the then meaningless play off games be made to refund the admission moneys? We know that one club cannot afford this. How ironic (that word again) would it be if der hun voted down reconstruction on the grounds they couldn’t afford it? Ha ha ha ha.
Anybody else a bit worried that Alex Neil may raid our team for players???
LB
homecoming
https://youtu.be/k74Alczekn8
HH
ger57
Season tickets are being sold. There will be no reconstruction of the leagues this summer.
I wouldn;t be against it next season though.
Most fans want a 16 or 18 team league.
Doncaster favours the leagues splitting in 3 from Prem and Championship. I heard him on Radio Scotland when the Ladbrokes deal was announced. He wants a bigger league but all 42 clubs must vote on it and have a clear majority in agreement.
LB
Livibhoy- Amido, Derk and Timmu are desperate to try Delia’s home cooking.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
Ahhhahahahahaha
Nice one mate.
LB
I was in Murcia at the weekend with a crowd of mates golfing and generally eating and drinking too much.One of us forgot his golf shoes and was contemplating buying a pair at the Roda golf shop however I had my shoes in a Celtic bag which resulted in guy approaching us to talk about Celtic.He was a big Tim and like us was planning to watch the final game in a pub in Los Alazares.He then incredibly offered to loan his golf shoes to my mate which considering we had only met minutes before was very generous.So the point of this story? We never thought to ask him his name so if you are a CQN’r thank you very much and I hope you picked up your shoes at the pro shop.
When you are a Tim no matter where you are you are never alone,quite amazing.
Cmon the hoops.
By the way if you are ever in Los Alcazares do not drink in the Celt bar,we thought it would be a good place to watch the game and we spent a few quid there on Sunday.Turns out its a hun infested den posing as an Irish bar,avoid at all costs.
If Motherwell beat sevco, I’ll eat Paddy Ashdown’s hat after he’s finished digesting it.
LiviBhoy
I agree. A 16 team league – 30 game season. Perhaps a return to the old League Cup sections with the match revenues split between all clubs. Surely there must be a move to internet broadcasting for all the good any of the clubs get from the current tv deals. Would mean more 3pm Saturday KOs too.
Over to you, PL.
Interesting read from Mr Chiles on the benefits of daily bread.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32849125
LB
leftclicktic
10:23 on 26 May, 2015
thomthethim for Oscar OK
dont know how many times I have watched this :))))
Jimmys Winnin Matches FULL Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p
*********
Thanks for posting this link.
I don’t often say this, but it is essential viewing for anyone who wishes to understand the calibre of man who is working with Ronnie.
Auldheid
09:56 on 26 May, 2015
The Clump any
Excellent rebuttal to the FIFA same club claims.
For those who missed it
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/definitively-pish/
As you said an insult to our intelligence.
#####
That’s all very well, but for football’s governing bodies it is commercialy, administratively and politically expedient to go along with the same club narrative and that’s the narrative that will win out in the end.
They will be regarded as the same club with an unbroken history and any future cup or title wins will be added to the list of honours acquired by the dead club.
And a major part of why that will happen is that no one of any authority within Scottish football has challenged the myth.
In particular the shower of self serving poltroons on the Celtic board have remained silent throughout.
Shameful.
Artur Boruc released by Southampton.
Would imagine that Bouremouth would want him but would be worthwhile us pursuing ?
Burghbhoy
Would prefer Stevie Woods and Craig Gordon to be bringing one of our youths or a younger goalie up to speed.
LB
Livibhoy
If Zaluska is leaving we need a proven back up IMO .
Wouldn’t be comfortable throwing in Fasan if Craig got crocked
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1441128402858258&id=100008833365060
Funny.
Burghbhoy
Boruc would be way out of our price range and he would not be happy as a No2.
Who do you have your eye on?
LB
ger57
08:53 on
26 May, 2015
got it in a nutshell
HH
I think thems will be up next year, by hook, or by crook, I honestly don’t see Murderwell putting up a fight, and neither do the bookies.
Jason denayer@Jasondenayer · 3 hrs3 hours ago
Amazing season in a Amazing club I have not lot to say just thank you for everything , a club like no other #Celtic #hailhail
We should buy Cifti……he has a wee bit of ‘bite’ in him….
ger57 @ 11:19,
Internet TV is a must, I would guess the restrictions on broadcasting a Saturday 3;00 kick off would remain but Scottish Football is perfectly placed for it.
It’s going to be a huge part of Football Broadcasting in the future though most Countries will have a problem transitioning with their dependency on “TV” money.
We have no such challenges Scottish Football has survived in-spite of “TV” money not because of it.
It has made us lean mean and primed to take full advantage of the new media.
My concern would be the out if touch dinosaurs that run the game in Scotland. Their lack of focus, imagination and their vested interests will ensure we miss another great opportunity unless we can get someone with vision and purpose on board.
Hail Hail