You and I both knew before last night that Salzburg are well ahead of Celtic, so a 3-1 defeat away to the top seed surprised no one. However, the game itself provided positive, as well as disappointing aspects.
Odsonne Eduard looked a handful when running at defences. His goal and the chance he created a minute before the break typified this. For all Salzburg’s ability, they looked weakest in defence. We looked like we could put the ball in the net every time we got near then, which, admittedly, was seldom.
That aside, Eduard’s distribution was as poor as the rest of the teams’. There were two distinct phases to the game: before Salzburg’s third goal and after. After this point, the home team did not press nearly as forcefully, which allowed Celtic to find men with passes and retain possession. This merely demonstrated how poorly we did so earlier in the game.
Prior to then, passing and movement lacked the confidence needed to play out from the back. For example, Salzburg did not mark defenders in front of or at either side of the box when Craig Gordon took goal kicks in the first half. Despite having three options for an easy pass, Craig kicked long the majority of the time – by definition into areas with fewer Celtic players, as we had three back at the penalty box.
The goalkeeper just didn’t fancy the consequences of passing to an unmarked defender – the story of the game in metaphor!
Dedryck Boyata was the outstanding Celtic player on the park. He won everything in his vicinity and I even noticed him chasing down a ball he had himself headed clear, before others reacted. But, on one occasion, when Craig chose to send a goal kick straight to him, he panicked, lost possession and conceded a chance in a dangerous area. There was an easy pass back to the keeper.
You do not need to be Iniesta to work the ball out from the back. You need to be able to control and pass, while everyone in the team needs the awareness to move into space, ensuring no one is boxed in. This takes lots of practice and confidence. We are correctly working towards this kind of football, but we’re not there yet, even in the SPFL.
The pertinent questions is, has this squad hit the ceiling or can we control, pass and move better? I’m sure we can improve, although perhaps only by degrees.
I know what you were thinking every time Salzburg got a corner kick, “Here we go again” – or was that just me? Instead, we defended set-pieces well; in fact, it was the home team who conceded the two best chances of any type before the interval.
James Forrest tucked in well on the right. He got unfortunate with the bounce at the penalty, which was correctly awarded. No complaints at the red card either, although I could squabble that Dabbur, who was already cautioned, should have received a second yellow on the two occasions he displayed a Tshirt message after his goals, if the referee followed his guidelines correctly. Pedants CSC.
The football business is all about the next game and right now there is nothing on the horizon more than St Johnstone on Sunday. Lick your wounds and get a result, Celtic.
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Gutenberg
Analysing our entire club at this moment, I would be delighted with 8, then regroup, refocus and go for 9.
YNWA
Just want Celtic to win as much as possible on the pitch, cant be arsed with naysayers who want change but not led by them.
For the record….
Craig Gordon is in the top three of Celtic goalkeepers since I first saw Celtic in 1963.
I fail to comprehend the stick and vitriol poured on to him. It is not just this season it has been a feature since he first signed for us.
Surely his foilbles can be forgiven because of his many brilliant performances and truly sensational saves.
Can someone explain why some seem to hate him so?
HH
Got to go.
To paraphrase a poster on here.
Źzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Team for Sunday
—————————Gordon————————————
Ralston. Boyata. Benckovic Tierney
————Mulumbu. Ntcham——————-
Forrest. Rogic. Morgan
—————Edouard ————————
I know it won’t happen.
But fundamentally Lustig should rest up.
That would leave Gamboa or Ralston.
For what ever reason Rodgers doesn’t fancy Gamboa.
Therefore just give Ralston a game. He’s young, hungry, full of energy. Chuck him in. Bet he wouldn’t let anyone down
DD
Agree but I’ve posted before that we’re taking a tap in and turning it into a 40 yarder.
I have a genuine fear that if we don’t achieve Ten from what should be an unassailable position the club really will implode and it will take a long time to recover.
McGregor, another one…. take a rest son.
Rogic, step up to the plate please.
And lastly, I think Morgan can bring freshness to the side. Given an opportunity. So just play him.
Gutenberg
Totally agree with you.
First time I heard the Inspiral Carpets CSC classic This is how it feels to be Celtic, I loved it. Then I thought of a song we used to sing when I was 9.
“Woa woa woa it’s magic,
You know.
It’s gonnae be 10 in a row.”?
YNWA
Hello everyone, been a long week and the now ritualistic collapse away in Europe was just the correct way to welcome me back to Edinburgh last night. No surprises for me to be honest.
So , we move on…hopefully.
Went to Celino’s in Glasgow today for lunch, very impressed by food and service.
My Lhad is heading up here tomorrow night and we will be up at Perth on Sunday.
The wee grandson is a constant tonic.
So, like I said , we move on and as long as we do the right things we will be okay. HH
Craig Gordon….superb keeper and the least of our problems.
McGregor….’take a rest”…….take a hike more like. One of the origanal ‘sparrow hearts’ along with Forrest, Armstrong and McKay-Steven.
We’ve ditched two and given one a cushy 4 year deal. Do not make the same mistake again.
JMcCormick
Welcome home. Huge game in Perth on Sunday. Gonnae bring back the three points with you please ?
YNWA
Rogic………..as I’ve said before, sold a pup and mightily pissed off.
Sold a brave new world of progress and ambition only to be legged over.
I can’t blame the guy, but the only wat to get out of Dodge is to turn up and turn it on.
Quiz Night………Are these guys from Greenock or Glasgow? I’d never heard of them before tonight.
I like a bit of rockabilly….
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p65UJwXIA-E
I wont bore you yet with the events of the last few days. Suffice to say that, if the affection I have for the legend and mythology of Celtic is anything more than a mirage, then those Ghirls and Bhoys I sat with on plane, train and coach are far more worthy of carrying the soul of that phenominally trivial but fundamentally defining affection into the seasons that lie ahead.
As we clambered knackered, dispirited and hoarse from the flight into Gatwick, the exchanges had changed from last night to …and I quote…
.”Have you got yer stash thegither for Lepzig?”
“I’m fine fur that,,,,but I’ll be struggling if we get to the semi-finals. If we make the final then there’s goin to be wan almighty row over whether I go or she does”
“She”…. just smiled.
Hail Hail
Matt
Ruggygman,
Like the look of that side to shake things up. Might even give KT a rest and bring on Izzy.
Stuck in 2 minds with Celtic
1 don’t give them another penny, Have not since ronny Deila left because of not spending my money.
2 Just give up all together as i dont need Celtic or football to bring me enjoyment anymore because i know they are systematically and Intentionally making an arse of it as to make Scottish football competitive again.
KevJ Neganon If our ever wanting to go put nails under the Suits jags tyres when a games going on , give me a shout
….:)))))))))))))
Sonic alert
BTW Sitting in Travellers Tavern beside Victoria Bus Station….£4.95 a pint of Guinness….Glasgow in 9 hours….happiness is always just a bus trip away.
Hail Hail
Matt
That’s a long journey Matt. Hope you manage a sleep.
Jimthetim53
Sleep? Hah…that’s for 65+year olds…..us youngsters of a mere 64years and 10 months can get by on …..something that I’ve just forgotten…but it was clever. :)
Hail Hail
Matt
Matt, I turned 65 2 days ago! However I’m intriqued (sp) as to what does for you instead of sleep. I hope it’s not you know what!.
MATT STEWART on 5TH OCTOBER 2018 9:59 PM
After the Guinness , I hope you`ve got a bog on the bus .
It’s Yoga isn’t it?
Brendan would’ve won the argument, the Celtic way, if he’d said…..
…”Its only fair that we should play Hearts at neutral Murrayfield, after all, it would be unfair to ask club’s from, wherever, outside of the Glasgow locality, to travel to Hampden, which would give the Glasgow club’s an unfair advantage, but it could be agreed by ‘all’ Scottish club’s that the arrangements could be managed by a, fluid, transparent process that is applied in a fair manner.”
Instead of the expression of fear that came across, from the manager, and the, as usual, nameless statement on the club website.
Anywye…..
CONNAIRE
####
HH fella.
MO’N’s departure.
Yes, your correct about his wife Geraldine being unwell, I hope that she has continued along that path.
I can only offer my thoughts, this is them.
Before MO’N’s wife become unwell, months before, MO’N had made it clear that he’d been unhappy with the club’s transfer process, saying that the club would now be operating in the slow lane, in terms of European football, after the Michael Gray window, in the following window, I think, he tried to bring in Kilmarnock’s right back, Peter Canero, to cover for the injured Didier Agathe, and the board couldn’t find the money, this coincided with Peter Lawwell’s return to the club, and the news got out that, Rangers were in financial trouble and would be downsizing the playing staff. Then Celtic did the same, without making the public announcement that Rangers did, which was deceitful, a form of, bail out’s for the few(PLC) and austerity for the many(53,000 season ticket holders). You see, MO’N’s wife became unwell, and its all about opinion’s, but, I believe that even if MO’N’s wife hadn’t fallen ill, he’d still have left, imho, even though MO’N had taken us to European finals, knocking Ronaldihno’s Barcelona team out of the Uefa cup etc, the PLC, who were dining at Europe’s top table’s because of MO’N, were digging tunnels underneath him as they looked into his eys’s, the likes of nomarks like Fergus’s old pal, Brian Quinn coming out in the papers with his – “Our esteemed manager…” – types of comments, MO’N probably thought, what’s the point ? imho.
Btw, it was nice of you to comment on one wee segment of my post, and ignore the rest of it, then throw your toys out the pram because I missed your post, ye see, if I had to answer all of the nitpickers on here, I’d take up about a dozen pages for myself. I mean you no harm.
Take care HH.
Anywye, away to bed now, all content, in the knowledge that, the PLC board urny shafting me, after emptying my bank account. ; √
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
UP LIKE A BIRD on 5TH OCTOBER 2018 9:33 PM
###
lol ;
HH
Matt Stewart – Thanks again for your various live updates. I’m sure there were others from this parish but you have represented CQN impeccably! Only 41 hours till the Bhoys are in the Perth tunnel ready to put us all through thew wringer again!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Kev you have the mulumbu fighting spirit which is not noticable in Celtic mate ..mourinho to Glasgow ? ?
Matt
Loved everyone of my trips to see Celtic away in Europe. Salzburg sounds magic. Loved reading your diary. Magic ?
YNWA
Just been to see. Bend it like Brattback in Webster Theatre.
Magic – so so funny and emotional.
Must see.
Get along there – Fantastic
I listened to RC tonight and Craig Beattie was on. He made a comment that resonated.
I hope the PLC take the Hun seriously now, I have serious reservations when Parading a £100M in Scotland.
To Not Totally Strengthen the weakest parts of the Celtic Team is Criminal.
Petec
It’s Friday I’m in love!
The Cure CSC ?
YNWA
Hello again all you young rebels.
A beautiful sunny Saturday morning here in Oz, like everyone else
completely puzzled about our recent form but a wee trip down to
rebel town on the peninsula will work wonders.
I’ll have a few ( multitude ) of beers with fellow Celts and each and
everyone of them will have a different opinion to me as to whats
causing it and to the way forward, but you know what? we’ll all be
on the same page when we are discussing our upcoming charity
events like the Christmas toys for the sick kids hospital, or next
months event to raise funds for a little two year old ghirl who is
very sick.
Thats what the Celtic family does best, so i’ll put those corrupt
European tournaments out of my head for now and look forward to
Perth and another joust with the cluggers,
Because thats what it means to be Celtic.
COYBIG.
H.H Mick
Celtic,
Hopefully…with the Statement there will follow action.
THIRDS63 on 5TH OCTOBER 2018 8:54 PM
For the record….
Craig Gordon is in the top three of Celtic goalkeepers since I first saw Celtic in 1963.
I fail to comprehend the stick and vitriol poured on to him. It is not just this season it has been a feature since he first signed for us.
Surely his foilbles can be forgiven because of his many brilliant performances and truly sensational saves.
Can someone explain why some seem to hate him so?
HH
===================================================================
The last thing a goalie should do is to put his own defence in danger .
I , and obviously others , feel that Craig does this on a regular basis .
Then again , obviously he is following Brendan`s instructions in attempting to be a ” back an’ in ” .
Ronnie Simpson. Sound . Seldom spectacular.
Apart from the back heel in Lisbon.
:-)
Jock`s rule. Never ask a player to do something he is incapable of .
James1:19
Pure soul with a lot of heart…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooqqj6q1MeU