Since Ronny Deila became manager I’ve met a Norwegian journo a few times who has been keen to discuss our manager’s progress. One of the points he’s continually made is about Stefan Johansen, who he insists is known as a creative midfielder in Norway, someone who regularly makes defence-splitting passes.
Until recently, we’ve not seen this, Stefan has played as a box-to-box midfielder. Something changed against Hamilton Accies two weeks ago. Celtic were inept in many areas but Stefan seemed particularly exasperated at the lack of penetration. He ran and harried, pushed and prodded. It was as though the general malaise around him afforded him the authority to take control of the situation.
Late in the game against Accies he bent double with his hands on his knees, the outward sign of exhaustion anyone over 40 who’s played fives is familiar with, but which you seldom see from professionals, as it’s a sign your batteries are empty. When fans see this in a player the natural reaction is to berate him but Stefan’s knees deserved to be held, he’d put more effort in over the 90 minutes than anyone I’d seen all season.
Saturday’s performance from Celtic seemed to come from nowhere; suddenly we looked like a team. Stefan’s newly acquired authority, which I think he acquired two weeks earlier, goes some way towards explaining why.
I’m loving the love being shown to the glib and shameless one today, especially the accompanying commentary, “are you a fan who is staying away from Rangers matches?”, “this Rangers support is already dangerously close to a full-scale rebellion”. Framing the debate like this is an explicit call to Newco Rangers fans to ditch their hard-up club.
I would like to echo this sentiment. Go find another sport, or take up a higher education class instead.
That’s easy for me to say, I care nothing for Newco, but at least I’m being honest about it. There are those prepared to drive the club into the Clyde in their attempts to grab control on the cheap – i.e. instead of buying shares on the open market.
Good luck to them. I’m sure Mike Ashley and the Easdales will be easily bullied.
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Johansen’s form since joining has been inconsistent and one game against Ross County shouldn’t let many of us get carried away.
He was brilliant on Saturday against Ross County, but he’s also had a few stinkers this season and to suggest that Commons shouldn’t go straight back in the team in that advanced position is naive.
He looked much more accomplished under Lenny last season in a tighter and more compact midfield. I think we’re still adjusting to the style RD wants us to play so here’s hoping he can kick on from here and show what he is capable of doing.
HH
Greenpinata
The duff so called manager has had a lot more than one step,and he inherited a reasonable side and destroyed it in a few games,remember we are well behind the mighty hamilton in the spl
“It really is too small a sample of scintillating performances from which to draw any definitive conclusions. We need more sparkling performances before we can deduce anything about this.”
Sftb.
Abso-bliddy-lutely.
.
I wonder if Charlie Nicholas is Sitting there Thinking what I’m Sitting her thinking..
That OldTim was Sitting there Laughing then and Still Sitting there Laughing Now..
Armchair Supporters Ehhh..
Summa of SittingCSC
gerrybhoy
Congrats on your daughter’s achievements.
With a Ph. D. in Industrial Relations she would make an ideal CQN moderator for our next Referendum Debate.
It’s a pity that the patience has disappeared from people who profess that they support the Celtic,What I remember about Johansen when he arrived here at first, was what a find we had found,.and a couple of games this season doesn’t make that good player from last year disappear, the Hamilton game made Johansen struggle a bit.
Paul was correct in his summation of that game against Hamilton, I think Paul meant that he ran his heart out for the team that day and literally ran himself into the ground covering ground that others should have been covering ,no wonder he was making mistakes, when you cover up for others,you’ll make more mistakes.
lawwellsacountant
You seem to be Mr Negative you complain about this and that and all and everything and on top of all that you even went and voted No !
Is “miserable” your middle name?
Cheer up we just had a big win.
I know its a bit early in the day but “post of the day” must belong to:
Davidopoulos
13:35 on 20 October, 2014
DAVIDOPOLOUS it,s a forum not A HIGHER ENGLISH TEST SO FE..CK OFF
.
SFTB..
a Post of mine Jan 6th last Year..
Celtic with Charlie Mulgrew..7-0..5-0..4-0..
Without Mulgrew..1-0..1-0..1-0..1-0..
“Don’t Sell Mulgrew..Don’t Sell Mulgrew..Cause if You………”
Summa
Heard a ridiculous comment at the weekend…
“Johansen brings more to the team than Joe Ledley did”
As well as he played on Saturday, I still think he has a long, long way to go to bringing the kind of influence to the team that JL did.
One of his best attributes is his engine and he very rarely hides in games, however, too many times he loses the ball in the middle of the park. Either through taking too many touches and being bullied off the ball or making a poor pass.
I would love to be proved wrong but I’ve not seen enough ‘defence splitting passes’ from the Bhoy to make me think he is the creative midfielder described above.
I would have Ledley in my team all day long ahead of Johansen.
lawwellsacountant
Are you Hugh Keevins in disguise?
Am hawdin ma cooncil tae a see few repetative performances on the trot such like Shundays. Rainbows appear but for a glimpse, looketh luvely but disappear again befur a fun ma gold. So until a see a stream a Rainbow’s RD, SJ and all the rest are still under surveilance.
It wiz a good win. B.. b.. b.. al hawd ma coonsil.
MWD said AYE
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
On the money Bobby.
KLV
I would rather mike Ashley was a million miles away from Ibrox……….why would he NEED to make money ??…….he might just fancy a wee project to get into champions league every year……and nice jaunts around top European clubs ……..no we should hope and pray dodgy Dave king is the man ….
On Johansen…….still don’t like him and McGregor in same team…..too lightweight……… thought he played well on sat……….so nearly the end of Oct and finally he has a good game !!!!……..by the way………because someone puts in a lot of hard work and covers acres of ground………does not make a great or even good football player…
BAMBOO ONE OF THE MINORITY YES VOTING TWATS,BUNCH OF LOSERS JUST LIKE MR STURGEON AND THE REST OF THE TARTAN TORIES
anyone that thinks Johansen had a good 1/2 season when signed is really blind he was rubbish , got us put out of cup at celtic park with pass of 5 yds straight to Aberdeen player,another of the ceo,s downsizing signings replacing the miles superior joe ledley
Last season I thought Johansson was superb.
Thus season up until Saturday IMO he gas been garbage.
I put that down to him and 1 other recently Broonie running about like madmen putting out fires all over the pitch .
An extra mhan in midfield sorts that.
Personally , I would like to see Liam getting a run.
I also back RD to get it right.
Of that I’m certain.
Glory beckons
I’m a fan of Johanssen he’s a hard worker and is effective as a creative midfielder.
I’m not yet a fan of RD. He strikes me as arrogant or stupid.. I can’t decide which yet. I couldn’t believe his post match patter about how much he believes in himself and how the team are improving week on week. I’ll be happy to hear that when we have gone 6 games undefeated and are sitting above all other teams in SPFL. Until then RD should keep his trap shut and avoid setting himself up for a fall.
He should have instead conveyed his appreciation for Scott Brown doing his job for him last week when SB came out and billeted his team mates.
That’s what i would do if i was RD, Hope he doesn’t tinker. KC right back in.
KLV
prestonpans bhoys
13:10 on
20 October, 2014
Ronny should keep with that team for Thursday.
Just replace Gooooooooaletti with Sepcovic, no need to tinker just leave it alone – injuries permitting.
GlassTwoThirdsFull,
What made me laugh the most was when some quibbled about Gordon going up for a corner against Celtic, in a nothing game.
We have the best Keeper in Scotland, who cost us nothing, and injury free, will do a great job for us until he moves on.
lawwellsacc
1 good game out of 60 is bollox
hes been patchy but hes had more than a few good games
and has been motm in a few too
he might not be your cup of tea but get real
prestonpans bhoys
13:41 on 20 October, 2014
I know its a bit early in the day but “post of the day” must belong to:
Davidopoulos
13:35 on 20 October, 2014
———————————————————-
That’s very kind but I must pass that crown to Jamesgang’s post from this morning with the Irn Bru ad mocking my run in with my fridge. I’m too lazy to look up the time that he posted it.
Also a point on Ronny,
I’m probably up there with one of his biggest critics.
His quote on Saturday was, “… it’s getting better and better with every game we play, this game is a step forward.”
Our last league game before Saturday we were beaten at home to a team who were playing in the division below us last season…it couldn’t have gotten much worse!
Coat’s on a shoogly peg, for me.
“I’m not yet a fan of RD. He strikes me as arrogant or stupid.. I can’t decide which yet.”
Is this the definition of irony?
I agree that Stefan had a smashing game on Saturday.
Also thought that our movement off the ball was very good too.
Stefan can indeed see a pass.
Keep it up now bhoys, that’s all you need to do.
Page 3 podium too!
weeminger
13:36 on 20 October, 2014
jamesgang
13:28 on
20 October, 2014
That’s fine except with the squad as is, they’re losing almost £1M/month. Even filling the cesspit would leave them with a deficit of c£5M/season. Upping the quality of the squad only increases that. With player turnover etc taken onto the mix I think it could take 4-5 years consecutive CL group football to turn a profit.
That’s risky.
________
Let’s not kid ourselves on.
Thems will be a force soon enough, they will get every assistance needed to put us in a place they think we belong.
It’s in our boards hands and so far they have been a major let down.
DeniaBhoy
12:50 on
20 October, 2014
Auldheid – just asking the question, I only saw the goals but opinion on here seemed to be that KC’s absence was key to the way the team played. KC, perhaps like Hooper in his last few months, may already have one eye on his exit. I doubt NL would be using the media to unsettle him if he didn’t think there was a good chance of getting him.
===============
There were two key matters.
Balance from the return of Lustig.
Solidity from return of Mulgrew.
Had Commons played up front he would have been on score sheet. Note distance Stokes scored from and Commons is as good a striker of the ball as Stokes.
“Our last league game before Saturday we were beaten at home to a team who were playing in the division below us last season…it couldn’t have gotten much worse!”
Albert kidd,
We were narrowly defeated by the league leaders. If Ross County gubbed us on Saturday it woulda been a hooooorofa lot worse for us imo.
Philbhoy 13:55 on 20 October, 2014
Page 3 podium too!
……………………………….
Well done to you philbhoy. That’s way cooler than sitting for half an hour bursing furra waz and pressing the F5 button.
Coolmandaddyo.com
I actually logged on to have a go at the lawelcount fella, but I canny be arsed noo:_)
HH
lawwellsacountant
Do you find your moods get blacker as we go into winter .
I think I might know whats wrong with you.
Dont despair there could be a cure.
Summa of Sammi
We can be selective about picking the performances that prove our point.
Charlie also played in the LC loss to Morton and in the away defeats to Karagandy and Milan. He was also on for the second half in Barcelona when we shipped 3 further goals to add to our first half total.
I remain to be convinced that Charlie is the key. I suspect that a true screening defensive midfielder like Big Vic, solves a lot of our “full backs bombing on” issues. Maybe you need a ball playing centre half in there but they need to be safe passers and distributors like Neil Lennon was. I could not trust Efe to do it as he is likely to surrender possession while dribbling out of defence. I think Bitton is not powerful enough though he is a safe passer. I think Eoghan O’Connell might be given a shot but the player best suited to the task is Virgil. Could we risk taking him out of the CB slots though?
sipsini
13:56 on
20 October, 2014
They may well be, I’m not denying that. I’m saying that you’ll need to put a lot of money in before getting anything out.
About half their 1st 11 will need replaced within the next 2 seasons. Do you think it’s possible to put a side that will challenge together for £20M on that basis? I’m not sure I do.
davidopoulos
geordie munro
Wee munger
I hope you’re all correct and that Ashley brings nothing but bad to a bad place!
PerenniallyConcernedHappyClapperCSC
HH jamesgang
PS davidopoulos you’re very gracious but too kind. You win IMHO. Hands down!
acgr
I have a bottle of Glenfiddich, Single Malt,15 years old, The Solera Vat.
Any opinions?
Jamesgang,
‘u’ overload:))
Gerrybhoy ,
Many congratulations to your daughter.
As she is now an expert in international relations, maybe she can add a bit of diplomacy and sort out Serbia/Albania tomorrow, Iran/Iraq on Wednesday, Arab/Israelis on Thursday and Putin/everyone else on Friday.
This would set her up for the rest of her career dealing with King/Ashley/Easdales.
Geordie Munro,
Says a lot about where we are at the moment that we are 6 points off the league leaders without there being a strong Rangers in the league.
These league leaders are Hamilton. They’ve had a good start but they’re hardly world beaters! We should never be losing at home to them, the fact we were ‘narrowly defeated’ is irrelevant. We were defeated.