Auchinleck Talbot are a sixth-tier club, so I didn’t want to mention this after Sunday’s game, but the passing at Kilmarnock was so much crisper than I have seen from Celtic this season. The observation was discarded as I assumed it was because the opposition were unable to press Celtic players out of their comfort zone.
We started the same way last night. The minutes before the opening goal were characterised by pass-and-move routines from Celtic that we scarcely saw throughout 2025. Bologna pressed but the man in possession was always comfortable and had options. That panicked feeling when we were pressed that the ball would inevitably go all the way back to Kasper Schmeichel, then possession would be lost, never materialised.
The calamitous opening goal Bologna conceded resulted in Celtic pressing an Italian home side out of their comfort zone. Cheaply given but thoroughly appreciated.
Racial stereotypes are best avoided, but is it safe to say Japanese players are just too honourable? A minute after Reo Hatate’s opener, Daizen Maeda was clean through 40 yards out when he was bundled from behind. Daizen is made of sturdy stuff, so was able to continue; if it was me, I’d have collapsed like a proverbial sack of potatoes. Had Daizen fallen, a red card would have followed.
Daizen stayed on his feet, Yang latched onto his pass and came close to adding a second goal with a shot the keeper only just got a hand to. A goalscoring chance was not denied, so the referee was unable to act.
Small incidents can change the flow of football games. On receiving a ball out of defence, Reo Hatate tried to hold the ball in, but it ran through him, allowing Bologna to open an attack and put Celtic under sustained pressure for the first time. The same thing happened 10 minutes later, when Reo was bundled to the ground, again Bologna were able to press Celtic for several minutes.
The two yellow cards Reo received soon thereafter were inexplicable for an experienced player. They should be a learning experience for the whole squad.
With Bologna still trying to figure out how to react to their one man advantage, Daizen forced a corner from a long ball into the right channel. Kieran Tierney has been written off by a few of us. His return has not delivered the same form he last enjoyed in green and white. Perhaps another appraisal is due.
A decision at Lennoxtown to have Kieran take corners from the Celtic right proved inspired. KT’s delivery was excellent and Arne Engels proved he can get on the end of deliveries. Auston Trusty was dominant throughout the game but no more so five minutes from the break, when he knocked this set-piece over the line.
The second half is so difficult to assess from a tactical point of view. Celtic had a two goal lead to defend, away in Italy, with 10 men, so doing so as deeply as they did was understandable. Martin pulled the full backs inside, Out of possession, Daizen dropped into the traditional left back spot.
There was a six-man back line with Yang, Engels and McGregor 10-15 yards in front. The relentless series of crosses and passing in front of the Celtic box inevitably led to a goal. Whatever the plan was at halftime, an early change in shape may have been more effective.
I have seen chat that Kasper Schmeichel could have done better at each Bologna goal, but I disagree. The first was from point-blank range and he was unsighted at the second. More than that, he pulled off saves I have yet to see from Viljami Sinisalo. The big Dane still has a part to play.
The match stats tell one story: Bologna 36 attempts, Celtic 8. Not all attempts are equal, though. All of Celtic’s were from inside the penalty box and four of those were inside the six-yard box. Bologna were hitting shots from 30 yards. Their two goals only slightly under-delivered on an expected goals of 2.46.
The prospect of playing 18 minutes plus added time after the equaliser was daunting, but Bologna had fired their bolt. Celtic’s defenders dominated the game from that moment on.
I don’t want to touch on a negative after such a good performance, but Colby Donovan, Anthony Ralston, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and Kieran Tiernay have all looked poor this season. Each betrayed by a system which left them exposed. See what happens when a management team who can structure a midfield and defence are in charge? They were all excellent, Liam and Auston in particular. Even the recently maligned Anthony, who was calm personified in possession. Honda Civics they are not. It’s all about the system.
This remains Celtic’s worst season in five, but the club which wins more games and trophies than any other in world football is edging back on track. That will confound those who spend their emotional energy trying to convince friends, readers and media colleagues that Celtic are a badly run football club. God help them if the result on Sunday goes against their world view. It’s so much easier just to complain than to self-reflect.
469 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 13
- »
CelticMac
You’re as guilty as they are. You constantly have swipes at posters who criticise our Board. Even the dogs in the street know that the present incumbents are not fit for purpose. They appointed Nancy for heaven’s sake who haemorrhaged 12 League points in a record 33 days. If they had appointed Jimmy Bell they couldn’t have done a better job to sabotage our club.
The only constant at Celtic is the fantastic Celtic supporters. They are entitled to harbour fears of getting a doing in Italy and to express those fears. They will be absolutely delighted that those fears didn’t come to fruition due to a great team performance under the leadership of a truly great manager and coaching staff. What we could do less of is people coming on to express their delight at the result but taking time to divide that great Celtic supporters by needling those fans who dare to express their opinions.
Celtic is a dysfunctional organisation. Apart for that, it’s a well run football club…
On the subject of MON being a DoF
When we appointed Nancy in his first interview he said he had spoken to Martin (turns out for 15 mins) this got me suspicious before we kicked a ball
If I was to become Manager at Celtic (relax highly unlikely) I would handcuff myself to Martin to gain as much knowledge as possible. I would want him as a mentor
Nancy never connected with him. Stupid man
Hindsight tells me even Martin would have his work cut out helping him but he would have stood a better chance
Whatever happens this year I think keeping MON in the building can only be good for Celtic
67ECW
SAINT STIVS on 23RD JANUARY 2026 2:25 PM
this is a serious question, asked already but no one seems to have an opinion.
why is it desirable to retain MON in a DOF position aged 74, but we want directors and owners , replaced and cite age as being one of their problems, DD 75, TA 77, BW 76.
Anyone offer an opinion ?
……………
Unlike those you cite, Martin O’Neill is doing a productive job of work no matter his age.
Could never get my coupon on, on time after deliberating over the age old question……
Toulouse or not Toulouse?
Kenny out with a calf injury and Iheanacho not ready to start.
Looks like Cvancara will be starting at Tynecastle.
theoriginalsdiesbhoy@2.53
Apart from the fact that Jimmy Bell has been dead for nearly four years….
Maybe you were one of those “fantastic” those “great” supporters singing about that very fact?
Funny that his name should come so easily to mind….
Not good
Apart from that keep up the good work
Prestonpans bhoys on 23rd January 2026 12:26 pm
A well run club would never even consider Nancy for an interview , nevermind offering him a position 🫣
Would a well run club have ee appointed BR2?
Imo no.
An example of error at the top causing havoc.
HH
TOSB,
You may well have a point about criticising those who come on to voice their opinion on how Celtic are run but most of them also attack (sometimes viciously) those who don’t share their opinion, particularly Paul67. Some do it morning noon and night.
By the way, SS, I still think that much of the time last season and early this season, the football was boring. The odd game might not have been but in general it was, imo.
Maybe, he’s getting a scan on his calf, a decision tomorrow, would he have started anyway?
Maolmuire O Muirgheasa on 23rd January 2026 2:14 pm
Bonner, known in North West Donegal as The Keadue Donkey.
————-
In your head maybe.
Please read back for some good adjectives to adequately describe that load of rubbish.
HH.
FYI.
“Celtic is currently ranked as the best-run football club in Scotland according to the Fair Game Index, scoring 80.6 out of 100. Hearts and Hibs also rank highly, taking third and fifth places, respectively”
Don’t shoot the messenger
HH.
By the way, SS, I still think that much of the time last season and early this season, the football was boring. The odd game might not have been but in general it was, imo.
—————–
my honest opinion.
it is how the opposition set up that forced us to recycle the ball and try again.
i only got bored in games where we failed to make chances. and that was not very often,
are you less bored now with our style of play ?
last night just reminded me of atlanta 0-0 last season.
Saint Stivs @ 2:20 pm, 2:25 pm, 2:45 pm,
Yes, absolutely, over 1,000 completed passes 5 goals – my point at the time we have to get 800 + passes and 80% possession in the SPL, if we arw going to get 350 passes and 35% possession in the Allianz Arena.
Muscle memory in passing and high press doesn’t come from seasons past, apparently only the bad habits are muscle memory;))
As far as the ageism goes, and please remember I’m not one who put MO’N forward for DoF – if you are capable of doing the job then that’s the most important point, also, the length of service – how long is appropriate in any given role!?
However, I work with people living with dementia – in our family, we have residents who are in their early seventies and residents in their late ninties – many of them “high flyers”
The fact remains, no matter how you want to spin it, the Celtic Board are not fit for purpose.
On the point of emotional attachment to a brand, I have a tendancy towards Buddhist non-attachment.
However, say I brought some of my supplies from my local Health food shop and I found out that they were selling food and playing down the transfat, sugar, additive content information, even if they were legally compliant, I’d find this behaviour abhorrent and stop shopping there.
Hail Hail
AT@3:10
TBH I was surprised BR was approached for a second stint, I was astonished he accepted it considering what had happened previously.
saint stivs@2.25
Courtesy of Paul67….
“Cognitive Dissonance” should just about cover it
Saint Stivs – I’ve raised similar in the past about MON’s age profile.
I think it basically comes down to people trusting MON and not trusting the others.
The basis of that trust including
– how competent one thinks they are
– how comforted they make one feel when they speak (or if)
– feeling confident they are in control
– trusting them
Trusting their character and integrity i should have said at fourth point
MON’s presser:
https://youtu.be/kSFBI-RAFVU?si=4wYTcDwrO2GAi1cM
I wonder if he’s raging again😂
I actually thought Bologna’s high press in the first half was worse than AT’s at the weekend but we did look more comfortable in both games than we have done before. Maybe our passing is getting better, maybe we’re more comfortable and confident but I also get the impression that passing our way perfectly through it isnt our only option now. Kaspar punted the ball forward a few times, it looks like we’re using Yang’s heading ability instead of trying to pick out Daizen. Drawing an easy foul gets us up the pitch, KT seems to be looking for them. Simply going long and then pressing the opposition when it gets through to the keeper might be anathema to managers with a more pure vision of how their teams should play but it works. Rather press than be pressed.
Its was a good old fashioned, smart, away performance in Europe, Reo’s complete lack of discipline apart. I was thinking how Reo was playing himself into a move to Serie A – he looked as good as any midfielder on the pitch until he did what he did. He can forget it now. The switch to a low block was logical but I’m not sure we would have seen it with our previous three managers. We clearly have the players to play it in Europe, you hope Martin, with his more pragmatic approach might employ it again in the knock outs, if we get there.
I think we could compete with everyone in the competition except for the top two or three teams. And we should not underestimate what last night could do for the whole season.
FWIW – Paul didn’t actually say Celtic are a well run club earlier.
What he said
“That (trophy wins) will confound those who spend their emotional energy trying to convince friends, readers and media colleagues that Celtic are a badly run football club”
I largely agree with this statement.
The statistical evidence (trophy wins) should confound.
Whether it “will” – I’m not sure.
I also happen to agree with Dessybhoy’s comment at 12:37pm
“The football department at Celtic is not well run”
As we sit here today that is surely factual?
Particularly because there are so few left in it?
Thank goodness for Martin O’Neill …
… and the Pareto Principle.
😉😉😉😉
Martin’s intelligent application MIGHT just quickly deliver that 80% …
… which, in turn, MIGHT just be enough to win the league.
Bhoyjoebelfast on 23rd January 2026 11:35 am
Re BBC and their anti Celtic bias. I remember the Scottish Home service from yesteryear and the likes of George Davidson,Peter Thomson and David Francey whose leanings towards ‘them’ was no secret. There were more that provided commentary for BBC Scotland and their choice of favourites may not have been club 1872 but they were anti Celtic and the great comfort is quite a few lived through the great times Celtic enjoyed and how they suffered.
*aye me tae grew up with it as all we had was BBC1 and the wireless at 4:10 on a Saturday afternoon, blue peter thompson who managed tae lose the 2nd half of the 7-1 game stating later that the cameraman failed tae take the lens cap off after half time, I thought my da was going tae throw the tele out of the windae intae the local burn that night
Big fat george davidshun, his commentary would include the likes of mcneill to murdoch onto johnstone and crossed to chalmers, where its blocked by ronnie mckinnon who passes it to big john greig who superbly passes it on to the elegant jim baxter whose slide rule pass finds wee willie henderson etc if you can catch my drift.
I only use it for the gossip column now, as for their main news section, its like fox news over here, bunch of tory bassas.
I know Ferguson isn’t in the same form as when he first went to Italy but it didnt feel like we’d missed out on anything judging from yesterday.
back to Martin.
What comes across for me, 74 or not , is his massive intelligence in every interview, every commentary, even appearing on talk-shite with jimmy shite and simon shite, he runs verbal rings around anyone who dares make daft points.
Now, DOF, I would suggest it should be a full on job, and requires many good employees to support the structure, and this is another thing that comes across in the “good man management” segment, he is brilliant at listening to others, forming opinions, taking advice, but then saying “but whatever decision taken it is on me”.
So, the DOF, imho, a full time non stop in deep responsible position, that needs more than Football experience, and needs to be a fixed term , 3-5 years maybe.
I am surpised some, that given the DOF structure was in vogue for some time there, that Martin was not already in position somewhere else, particularly in big-bucks Engerland.
So, for me, if MON is to have a future role, it is advisory, not full-time, but instead as an NED, again for a fixed term, max 3 years.
The future CEO, needs to be someone completely new. Not attached to the current or any previous structure at the club, I would go as far as open to broad field of applicants, other business segments considered, age and gender relevant, but but HIGHLY QUALIFIED IN BUSINESS, I would also consider Germans.
And new chairman ? again, maybe, a non-celtic supporter, but a high profile and respected independent individual.
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 23rd January 2026 3:47 pm
cap doffed, vg/
DoF is no role for MON. He’d hate it.
At most clubs the role has got nothing to do with the day to day man management and adrenaline fix that he loves, and everything to do with data analytics, sports science and systems management.
It’s a long term, technical and strategic function. MON wouldn’t thank you for it.
I’d love to see Martin kept in at Celtic in a meaningful role but I don’t think a DoF would be the right one.
I know the temptation would be to keep him on at Celtic thinking that he wold do just as good a job for us in whatever he does but Its a very particular role, very different from the one we know he excels in. He might have the strategic smarts needed, he might have all the skills already but he might not. Totally different decisions to be made. Get it the appointment wrong, have the wrong person in the job and the dysfunction we’re talking about now gets more embedded. He will have to be equally comfortable working with the board and the football department, he’ll be an interface between the two but he cant take sides or the dysfunction continues.
Martin, by his own admission hasnt been involved in the game for a long time. It has moved on since he was last involved in club management. Lots of new learning, not easy for someone in their seventies
Its not a role for a 74 year old. Google tells us the average age of Sporting Directors across the “Big Five” leagues is 48.6, ranging from 45.4 in La Liga to 51.8 in Serie A. Its hard work, doing something he has never done before,
I would worry about the important relationship between a new manager and someone who did the job better than he could hope to do, and having just stepped in twice when previous managers failed. I’m sure he wouldnt do it but any manager could feel like MON is watching over his shoulder, and he’s ready to step in like he has twice before.
Calum on Wilfried Nancy
https://x.com/i/status/2014730248353436052
HH
An Tearmann
A diplomat is oor young Captain.
If we’re going to be serious about changing the club then we need to make a break from the past.
O captain, my captain 🫡
A class act.
Being in the thick of it for the last 5 years is the best education Calmac could have got for being a Celtic manager of the future. Hopefully he has the ability to go with the experience because that cant be taught
If the footballing structure at the club is to be changed fromDermot appointing managers and deciding the transfer pot, then clearly the question is who presently within the board and executives has the relevant skill base in football knowledge to achieve a much needed modernisation
I would start with MO’N who has the knowledge, experience, intelligence and contacts to oversee change, its a no brainer
Maybe Chairman of the Club would interest him, mend some fences that are down, still think as a motivator/ leader is his prime asset.
Some really good constructive posts on here today.
An T thanks for sharing Cal presser
Tontine Tim Fabulous as always to hear of times just before my own in following Celtic. How hard it must have been for our parents following the Celtic with such a bias. My old man always spoke well of one guy called Cyril Horne. He didn’t consider Cyril to be one of ‘that lot’. I had the pleasure in my first ever job of selling a bottle of fortified wine (Cobos Crème Montilla) to Mr Horne who paid his £2.06 each day by cheque. It literally was each day. Decent old chap but never said much. I never asked him about Celtic though.
urnley78 on 23rd January 2026 5:00 pm
Some really good constructive posts on here today. An T thanks for sharing Cal presser
Tontine Tim Fabulous as always to hear of times just before my own in following Celtic. How hard it must have been for our parents following the Celtic with such a bias. My old man always spoke well of one guy called Cyril Horne. He didn’t consider Cyril to be one of ‘that lot’. I had the pleasure in my first ever job of selling a bottle of fortified wine (Cobos Crème Montilla) to Mr Horne who paid his £2.06 each day by cheque. It literally was each day. Decent old chap but never said much. I never asked him about Celtic though.
*was the same recollection that I have of my da and my FIL about Cyril, the latter though was a personal friend of Jack McGinn who was a newspaper mhan so mibbees that’s what coloured his view, as for one of the most criticised reporters, alex or as we called him alice cameron and yet his brother was a very well respected man in Dumbarton when he was the trade union convenor in the Blackburn Aircraft in the town, ever heard a bad word about him, funny how within a family there was so much difference
DESSYBHOY on 23RD JANUARY 2026 4:53 PM
Maybe Chairman of the Club would interest him, mend some fences that are down, still think as a motivator/ leader is his prime asset.
Same as DoF for me – totally different jobs to managing the football team.
A Chairman’s primary responsibility is leadership of the Board and to make sure it is effective in setting and implementing the company’s direction and strategy.
Which needs to change I think