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In defence of the defence

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Three years ago, we watched as Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele tore up the early Champions League qualifiers, forming what promised to be a productive partnership.  Injury prevented them from finishing that qualifying group, neither started as we exited in Athens and Moussa left as the transfer window closed.

In all probability, the partnership of Odsonne and Kyogo Furuhashi will end before August is out, but while they are both here and fit, they have the potential to form a devastating attacking threat.  On Sunday, Kyogo was handed the junior role on the left, with Odsonne through the middle.  Both can work either position, a flexibility which increases their potency.

With so many areas of the team looking stronger than it was two weeks ago, defence remains the area Ange Postecoglou will seek to improve.  We need a second right back, with Boli Bolingoli’s position at the club unclear, we probably need a left back too, and as it could be months before we see Christopher Jullien, I could make the case for a central defender.

Without wanting to tempt fate, though, we need to give credit to the three young Scots in the defence, Greg Taylor (23), Anthony Ralston (22) and Stephen Welsh (21) have performed above expectations so far this season.  If Carl Starfelt stops beating himself up and relaxes into his Celtic skin, we will strengthen from a strong base line.

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  5. Timbhoy2 on

    My seat is in the front of the main stand we’re the Celtic dug out is ,Received a email from the club telling me that the area is still out of bounds for season ticket holder,they don’t even know when fans will be allowed back into there seats,What they intend to do to me anyway is put me into area 118 which is a restricted view area ,so they will contact me regarding we’re I will be seated .

  7. An Dún on

    SAINT STIVS on 17TH AUGUST 2021 8:48 PM

     

    I had a wee look at coefficient points for Europa and conference.

     

     

     

    Then the prize money.

     

     

     

    No real difference.

     

     

     

    Some reasonable big teams in both that we haven’t faced before.

     

     

    —-

     

     

    100%.

     

     

    Looking forward to tomorrow night but should we fall short it won’t be a disaster.

  8. IniquitousIV on

    While Scotland’s 2 representatives were turfed out of the Champions League, and will now battle to avoid the Eoropa Petrovac Cup, Sheriff Tiraspol of mighty Moldova may have booked their place, leading Dinamo Zagreb 3-0. We really need to get more ambitious. I was in Moldova in 1971 and have rarely been in a more miserable place. Unfathomable that they have overtaken us.

  9. petec on

    Timbhoy2 on 17th August 2021 9:56 pm ,

     

     

    Things are all up in the air at the moment because of Covid, Aidans new ST wullnae arrive in time – I would not be so sure it would be activated anyway – So I’m happy to print of his Ticket for the morras game.

     

     

     

    Its Gonnae be good.

     

     

    As long as Celtic are relocating people to places that take into consideration any health issues (and this makes it difficult).

     

     

    It is not an easy situation no matter what.

  10. prestonpans bhoys on

    TIMBHOY2 on 17TH AUGUST 2021 9:56 PM

     

     

    I was in 118 for a number of years, if there is some restricted view seats, then you would be in a very unfortunate seat, probably at the back beside 119

  11. Weebobbycollins on

    For those bemoaning wee defenders…Third Lanark had a goalkeeper, Jocky Robertson, who measured

     

    five feet, five and a half inches…that’s four and a half inches shorter than Ronnie Simpson, who was probably one of our smallest ever keepers. He was Third Lanark’s goalkeeper for twelve years, so, not a wee flash in the pan.

  12. An Tearmann on

    Inquisitpuv

     

     

    Newlands garage.now a Morriston supermarket and flats.

     

    I remember wakening up there on night bus

     

     

    You would need the defence certs for 48a and 57 lol

     

    Preferably black belt ones :-)

     

     

    Hh

  14. bankiebhoy1 on

    I’m probably wrong but I’m not concerned about our Euro journey…..

     

    for me the league’s the thing this year.

     

    The huns need skelped and consigned to the financial fires………..

     

    but for the first time in a long time I’m looking forward to see how the team plays and how the new unit gels.

     

     

    Celtic – I’m very grateful…………………..

     

     

    Thanks.

     

     

    It s a funny old game CSC.

     

     

    HH

  16. IniquitousIV on

    AN TEARMANN @ 10:23

     

    Oddly, I never had any bother with the 57 to Arden. However, while driving the last ( one man operated ) 48 or 48A out of Midland St. on a Friday or Saturday night, there were many occasions when boarders headed upstairs without offering me any fare.

     

     

    Once, after that happened, an inspector boarded at Shawlands Cross and was about to go upstairs. I told him he was wasting his time as no one offered me a fare. He looked at me and said “ Got it,”checked the downstairs passengers and got off shortly after. Normally, I would have got a ticket for that, but he knew the score.

  20. EmeraldBee \o/ A Double Niner!! on

    SAINT STIVS @ 9.15PM

     

     

    No mention of John Greig, Mr Versatile, breaks legs with either foot.

     

     

    SAINT STIVS, way back in the January 1968 the original Rangers played us at Celtic Park on 2nd January. Greig the Assassin played at left back that day, with one instruction, “STOP Johnstone”. That was one of the worst displays of vicious assaults on a football player I had ever seen ( until Atletico Madrid).

     

     

    Greig was an utter disgrace but of course was aided by a compliant referee ( name?) who waited until the 80th minute to book him.

     

     

    I was going out with the daughter of a friend of wee Jinky at that time and on the 4th or 5th he turned up at their house. Quite happily he raised his shirt and lowered his jeans – my God, you would have thought he had been run over when you saw all the bruises.

     

     

    And THAT was what they voted their Greatest Ever Player? Speaks volumes.

  22. quadrophenian on

    SAINT

     

    ‘And the manager wants a new right-back to challenge Anthony Ralston.’

     

     

    Listening to Ange’s presser, I got the impression he wants new players to relieve those currently bustin’ a gut rather than sign players to breed competition or be of better quality.

     

    Tony Ral’s family must be glowing with pride that their big, raw lad who has grabbed this shirt and fought to make it his own. And Ange reckons there’s much more to come from Tony.

     

    How good would it be if this proper coach could turn our 2nd string nuggets into absolute gems!

     

     

    Getting Josip could be grand, too; Croats generally aren’t fond of taking backward steps. HH

  25. Malone Bhoy on

    Right back

     

     

    Experienced or top drawer Centre half on loan

     

     

    Number 9 if Eduoard goes

     

     

    If be happy with that.

     

     

    Sadly think Soro doesn’t fit the new system.

     

     

    We require all our midfield 3 to have an excellent first touch.

     

     

    Delighted if we get one or two others but the above is key.

  26. David66 on

    Good morning all from Myrtle beach to the Garngad

     

     

    You older bhoys must have had some pensions. :) Love listening to the stories of where Celtic fans are around the world and how well they have done. Our parents, grandparents and great grandparents would be so proud.

     

     

    The 1 thing that unites us is Celtic, well maybe in some cases cars as well.

     

     

    Cannot wait to see the bhoys tonight the buzz is back.

     

     

    We still need to recruit though.

     

     

    D :)

  29. Tom McLaughlin on

    Good morning from Duddingston Village.

     

     

    Counting the minutes to another trip to Paradise.

  30. An Tearmann on

    Morning Celts

     

     

    Match day beckons.spirits good.it always is a a Celt.

     

    Have a great day you all.:-)

     

     

    HH.

  31. !!Bada Bing!! on

    Not sure if we will go for a LB,if Scales can play there,Taylor and Montgomery as well…….Celtic triggered the year option with Ralston, as he was last man standing, but the guy has grabbed his chance, when Juranovic comes in, I think AR has earned a new deal as back up.

  32. Sláinte Ange on

    Like many others, I have been most impressed with the development of Tony Ralston. Seems to get better with every game he plays and hopefully that will continue. He has reveled in the new~found freedom to move inside and support the forward line. Can score as well!

     

    So, here’s an idea ~ why not move him into right midfield alongside Calmac and Turnbull, with Christie on the left? Hopefully we will soon sign Josip Juranovic for RB and Scales for LB.

     

     

    Here’s how it could look:

     

    HART

     

    JURANOVIC, STARFELT, WELSH, TAYLOR/SCALES

     

    RALSTON, CALMAC, TURNBULL/ROGIC, CHRISTIE

     

    ABADA/FORREST, ODSONNE, KYOGO

     

     

    Obviously too soon to try this but I think it could work very well.

     

     

    As usual, in Ange we trust.

  33. Friesdorfer on

    Good Morning all, from a gloriously sunny Bridge of Earn. What a fantastic day ahead: here to see grand-daughter’s first day at school, and then off to Paradise later this afternoon to meet up with my (now not so little) Bhoy and watch the famous Glasgow Celtic entertain us once again. What’s not to like! See you there.

     

    HH

  34. !!Bada Bing!! on

    I’m guessing if we get the signings in from Poland and Holland, they won’t have to quarantine or isolate?

  36. quadrophenian on

    Just shows you how difficult it it to attract the right talent eh?

     

    Kid Couto sees Paradise heaving, on a big Euro night from the heated seats – yet opts for that great fitba brand, Braga. As Ange says, if seeing this isn’t enough to convince you etc…

     

     

    Or, mibby Couto had a look at our bearded RB warrior and thought…I’ll have some time shifting this kid ;)

     

     

    I’m happier with a mid-20s Croatian international in defence anyway. Bring Jozo back for free to be his buddy and we’d be more settled at the back; 1 game out of 3 anyway ;)

  38. Big Jimmy on

    WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 17TH AUGUST 2021 6:07 PM

     

    Was there a game where we experimented with yellow numbers on our backs?

     

    …………

     

    We canny have that….

     

    Whoever is wearing Number ELEVEN is gonna look like he has TWO Yellow Cowardly Stripes running doon his back /

     

    At least the Celtic Goalie would ONLY have ONE ?

     

    LOL.

     

    HH.

  41. bankiebhoy1 on

    G’mornin’ Troops………….

     

     

    Very quiet in my part of Corcaigh today.

     

     

    Had a wee swim this morning and a natter with two Dubs down here on hols. There’s a Gowf Course right next to the beach. Both were amazed at how poorly Big Duff performed for us. It makes ye wonder how things mighta turned out for him if he’d had the guidance of Big AP.

     

     

    It;s a funny old game.

     

     

    HH

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