It was such a jar to the senses. Twice a striker was clean through on the keeper inside the box. For 12 months, this only led to one outcome. Last night we saw Joe Hart make two saves we have not seen since his former England squad team mate was in goal.
Playing out from the back, as we do, takes nerves and practice. The key players are the goalkeeper, the central defenders and the two deepest central mids. The latter two need to be comfortable controlling a pass facing their own goal with an opponent on their shoulder. Callum McGregor and David Tunbull have this.
You can expect a few bumps on the road; McGregor’s nightmare back pass being an example, but we will improve as the season progresses. Developing this attribute will inevitably cost goals, but you see the speed and effectiveness of the transition into attack. Gone are the days of circulating the ball endlessly in a horseshoe pattern, or worse, the long ball.
I also liked our new player, Tom Rogic – another who has the ability to bring the ball under instant control with an opponent (or two, as it often was last night) breathing down on him. Kenny Dalglish would use his body to keep an opponent from getting a toe on the ball, Tom brought it all back last night. For me, this is an unexpected sunset performance. Tom is a throwback, without an engine for the modern game, so these treats will remain a cameo.
How are you feeling about the direction of travel?
Last night’s starting 11 had three new signings, eight players who were here last season, seven of whom are Scottish. Three signings and, of course, a manager we traveled the world to bring to Glasgow! There are certainly no guarantees against AZ, but the recovery has been swift and impressive. You are not going to hear this from too many sources, but the fundamentals at the club remain very good; watch how we grow.
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Top of the pops on a stupidly hot Friday in Kentucky.
Happier as each games passes.
HH!
Hello.
Is it me you’re looking for VALE BHOY?
AIPPLE
Very good 😂😂 the heat getting to you 😂😎
Hahaha.
The whole season – IMO – comes down to the effectiveness of the recruiting of new defenders in the next fortnight. The attacking football is exhilarating at times, but unless the mince trembles less we’ll suffer some acute disappointments.
IMJollyCSC
PARK ROAD 67 on 13TH AUGUST 2021 12:16 PM
Indeed! In all seriousness it has been awful, rained once in 4 weeks I think and when the heat index gets in to the 100’s with 80% humidity it’s like walking in soup.
Great home performance, AZ are a step up but one things for sure, it’s going to be exciting !
Friday the 13th?
Feelgood Friday more like! 😊 👍🍀
Thanks to Ange and the team for a great display of football last night, and especially for bringing the magic back to Paradise! 😊 🍀
This feels like just the beginning of a beautiful relationship and an amazing epic journey ahead! 😊 🍀
Take Care, Keep Safe, Hail Hail and God Bless,
TB&F. 😊 🍀
Aipple watch out that podium chaser Por Cierto will be after you for taking his number 1 slot.. :)
D :)
What is the point in the home cup ticket scheme if you dont use it for cup games?
@CelticFCSL
Celtic FC SLO
@CelticFCSLO
·
14m
Too short a timescale to comply with DD Guarantee, need to provide 10 days notice as far as I’m aware, would be much easier all round if it could have been used for Wed
some weather.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pa7
“Last night’s starting 11 had three new signings, eight players who were here last season, seven of whom are Scottish. Three signings and, of course, a manager…….”.
One of the signings has replaced Kris Ajer, the other is currently starting ahead of Edouard, so I think the analysis can be boiled down further…………..what a difference a decent keeper and manager have made so far.
https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1426109111331172359?s=08
AZ Tickets
Would you Adam and Eve it after buying 2 tickets for Sunday (not our usual seats) lo and behold our own 2 appear in our inbox in our own seats.
D :)
Got our AZ Alkmar tickets as well and amazing gesture of tickets for the wee Grandson for £1
Well done Celtic would be better if free to all ST holders but hey ho.
D :)
holding the price at £19, how very generous of you, hows about letting in the season book holders who never got thier “first euro game” as per the terms and conditions of purchase.
Liam Scales played very well for Shamrock Rovers last night away in Albania in a 2 nil win in a Europa Conference qualifier
He had assists for both goals …the second one he did especially well for.
You can see both goals on Shamrock Rovers twitter feed..I think he could be a bargain at the prices being qouted (€600,000)
He isnt Jonny Hayes …but it would be good to have an aul Paddy back in the team !!!!
Exciting times indeed ,huge difference from last season .super football from middle to front ,and as what we see happening we will score goals . BUT that defence will cost us dearly , still too wee in the fullback areas ,and sorry to say starfelt not for me , no doubt you all will have your own opinions , we needed two fullbacks ( keep present two as backup) and a big strong no nonsense centre half or two , won’t happen with Eddie hanging around for free , but that’s what we need .HH
If we end up in Europa Conference, submit the Development Squad, waste of time, concentrate on the league.
Liam Scales is 1.93 metres tall or 6 foot 3 and half inches in old money
I disagree Bada
Conference league is winnable
Anderlecht,Feyenoord,Partisan Belgrade,Copenhagen,CSKA Sofia etc.
is a realistic level of team for Celtic to compete against
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 13TH AUGUST 2021 12:18 PM
‘The whole season – IMO – comes down to the effectiveness of the recruiting of new defenders in the next fortnight.’
####
That will also be a bellwether as to the board’s intentions. Hopefully a change in long term strategy will be discernible.
It’s all about the Manager. I’ve said it for 50 years of watching Celtic, the best Managers get the best results. Stein, McNeill, Wim, MON, BR. Nothing has changed in those 50 years, players know when they are being lead by real men of knowledge and they place their trust in them as a result.
Ange has the attributes to go far with us if we give him the scope and the funds. The coming month will determine a lot.
https://twitter.com/JeanFind/status/1425901744018661383/photo/1
rinse and repeat right enough.
WITS- I have said I would pass on European football this year, so play a Europa Conference game in Astana on a Thursday night, and play at Poundland on Sunday at midday, for the Europa Conference? Not for me….
DAVID66 on 13TH AUGUST 2021 12:25 PM
He’s never a match for an early rising bhoy in Louisville.
How are you feeling about the direction of travel?
Great performance and result last night, of course not quite as complete as the Dundee 6-0 trashing at the weekend – against better opposition the fault lines and fatigue showed a bit more – Ange had always said we had work to do but as work in progresses go…
V… Good
The playing out of the back, like two strikers up front will always be a bugbear with certain generations of Celtic supporters but it is a must in the modern game.
I remember the debate when Lenny returned, against Hearts, Ajer got his feet mixed up on a pass back in the box – result Hearts penalty and a review of the playing out the back nonsense.
Of course we had only conceded one goal domestically that year and that was when Motherwell cheated and didn’t return the ball that a Celtic player had put out of play.
Some suggested it was the playing out the back, some suggested it was the coach.
I’m not sure why under one manager Ajer was a rock at the back and with the new manager made what looks like a School boy error, that led to a goal.
Now, having the ball at his “wrong” foot, trying to adjust and the Hearts forward pressing all combined – but how you stop that? Way beyond me and one for the experts.
I think the transition from Rodgers, to Lennon, to Ange has shown very, very starkly the fundamental importance of coaching, systems and techniques in modern football.
Glad to have Ange…
Hail Hail
as said previously loads of good football from the bhoys last night but as JIMTIM said we have to get the defence sorted and quickly or it will cost us dear.
Encouraging performance.
Work to do on recruitment.
My uninformed opinion ….
We need 2 new players in the first team
Plus
Another 2 in the squad.
All in the next 18 days …
… so don’t care if the last two are loans.
Ange made a notable comment post-match about sustaining energy levels with a small squad.
And since BR’s first season (5 years ago now) our energy levels have tanked it late November and December every season as we try to manage 40 matches (includes preseason) before Christmas.
Which brings me to my other (repeated) point.
It will never happen but I’d bin Europe completely.
Take the participation prize money and any result bonuses …
…. send out the kids, those back from injury and those peripheral squad players needing a game …
… complete with a skeleton coaching staff.
Six extra days coaching a month by Ange across September, October and November could make all the difference to tactical and organisational cohesion …
… and improves our chances of winning the league.
WHAT IS THE STARS on 13TH AUGUST 2021 12:52 PM
I disagree Bada
Conference league is winnable
Anderlecht,Feyenoord,Partisan Belgrade,Copenhagen,CSKA Sofia etc.
___
is a realistic level of team for Celtic to compete against
____
I agree. Based on the figures out today, the conference still pays out a decent amount. Win bonus etc is not that much less then the Europa. Build a team good enough for Europe and the domestic front will take care of itself. A couple of weeks ago, I didn’t think we’d have much of a chance against AZ Alkmaar, but I think it’ll be close. If we end up in the conference, we shouldn’t turn our noses up at it. Let’s get the new defenders in pronto.
AIPPLE
I like the heat but far too hot 🔥 in your neck of the woods for me !! HH 😎
PARK ROAD 67
I am inclined to agree. Just these few weeks/month(s) where it is close to unbearable. Makes the beer disappear with a quickness.
As for the broader discussion, I do hear the !!BADA BING!! side that the Europa Conf would be a distraction and one for the kids but then again….. Euro nights are some of the most special we have. The first team want to be under those lights and surrounded by the noise. It’s good for them.
!!BADA BING!! on 13TH AUGUST 2021 12:48 PM
If we end up in Europa Conference, submit the Development Squad, waste of time, concentrate on the league.
—
At 500k per win, I suspect we’ll be playing our strongest side.
A good run in the conference will see us make money unavailable to us in domestic football, I see us treating the tournament seriously.
If anything has to be sacrificed, let it be the league cup.
Paul says:
“You are not going to hear this from too many sources, but the fundamentals at the club remain very good; watch how we grow”.
——
I don’t doubt that “the fundamentals at the club”, with regard to finance, are fine. However the completion of the squad is not at this moment in time. There are questions over Edouard/Christie and several key positions that need to be resolved if this encouraging renaissance is to be translated into something solid and lasting.
What happens over the next fortnight, or so, will be crucial to “watch how we grow”
AIPPLE on 13TH AUGUST 2021 1:06 PM
DAVID66 on 13TH AUGUST 2021 12:25 PM
He’s never a match for an early rising bhoy in Louisville.
————————–
Aipple good one.
Stay safe in that heat Amigo.
D :)
I’m in the concentrate in the League camp.
No Europa would not bother me.
HH
D :)
There are certainly no guarantees against AZ, but our recovery has been swift and impressive. Watch how we grow.
We played well last night side looks much happier and could even afford to rest Abada.
Both full backs are revelling in the attacking tucked in system, but we need at least two players to chose from in each position, and expect that having signed eight players, we’ll sign another four before the deadline. The CB targets are mostly still involved in the qualifiers so won’t happen till we’ve played AZ when we, and the others know where we’ll be playing.
Tom Rogic and Ryan Christie are like new signings, when Eddy goes the money should be spent on a striker that can play with his back to goal, where we’ll have good players feeding off him.
There’s a buzz about the place © The Maestro