Our two loan signings on the final day of the transfer window, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers, have been crucial to the (presumptive) outcome of the league title, the latter more so than the former; Cameron could easily have won Player of the Year. Despite this, it is Jota who is the more important to secure on a permanent deal.
Having watched Newco suffocate our midfield twice in a month and Bodo/Glimt do the same earlier in the year, to the extent that we struggled to build periods of possession, never mind attacks, we need to answer the question, why was this?
When our central defenders have the ball, they face options of either trying to find a full back or Callum McGregor, or hope that someone further up field is in space. Those options were snuffed out by Newco, causing a nervousness as players took possession with an opponent breathing down his neck.
What would Kristoffer do?
Kristoffer Ajer would step forward with the ball, drawing opponents off their markers and immediately creating space. He could then play a short pass or, if he was not challenged, continue a run through the middle.
It is reasonable to claim Celtic have the best two central defenders in the league, even the previously maligned Carl Starfelt is a model of solidity. The problem is, neither can carry the ball forward as effectively as Kris Ajer. We need at least one central defender with this attribute, preferably two.
Ange Postecoglou is not going to change the way we play. Next season you will see our central defenders in possession looking at man-marked team-mates. We either address an identifiable problem, or we are in for more of the same.
The first job of a defender is to defend, and we all remember the shambles of last season, even with Kris, but despite my fondness for Cameron and Carl in this respect, we need a rethink.
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B2b The modrin game
https://twitter.com/touchlinefracas/status/1522164634152808448?s=19
HH
It would be interesting to know how we go about emulating them in Europe.
Not vague ideas about showing more ambition, or changing the supposed attitude in the boardroom towards Europe.
If it’s spending so far beyond our means that we put the club in existential danger, and needing to change our pattern of play so much that we’d need to go back ten years and appoint a new head coach then count me out
CELTIC40ME on 6TH MAY 2022 11:42 AM
“Quality is not expensive, it’s Priceless!”
por cierto
SPIDEY101 on 6TH MAY 2022 11:40 AM
Celtic40me – there’s a fair few on here who do say that we can’t compete in Europe and that domestic dominance is the main thing.
There isn’t. Nobody ever says we can’t and shouldn’t compete in the Europa League. We should be doing both.
We’re all using the Huns as a comparison today. What are they doing different to us that’s making them so much better than us in Europe? I’ve got spending hugely beyond their means and tactics.
Should we have had different managers?
Lenny clearly wasn’t up to it, but BR went a season unbeaten domestically but has an absolutely honking record in Europe with all 3 clubs he’s managed
Should we be looking at someone more pragmatic right now?
I’m going for 3-0 tomorrow. Similar perf to the LC game early in the season but no slackness at the back to let 2 in this time
Party on
Telling Ange how he needs to approach European football?
Can see both sides of the argument domestic / European success (preferably both) but would many season ticket holders or fan/supporters be happy with Gio’s:Stevie Gees very defensive approach, sometimes 3 defensive midfielders protecting their back 5 when hoping for a set piece/penalty winner ???
Who knows…. But give me an Ange attacking team any day of the week and who knows how Ange will get on in Europe after a full preseason and hopefully a double in the bag
Philbhoy hope young O is on the mend soon
CELTIC40ME on 6TH MAY 2022 11:54 AM
Their spending is no greater than Celtic’s.
The fact that is beyond their means is irrelevant in relation to how much needs to be spent to achieve success.
To my mind the difference between the two clubs is one of focus. They are about day to day survival through success. That’s borne out of desperation. Celtic’s seems to be all over the place. Entry to the EPL? Survival of a viable Old Firm? Just keep ticking along until some way of the Club’s de facto owner making a killing emerges?
This should be a wake up call for fans. But it won’t be.
new article posted.
I did not need to tune into anything last night as I had no intrest in anything that was happening However I knew they won I could hear moonhowling going on .
Having had an hour or so looking at stuff a few things I like dont like or like .
I like a few underestimated that mob they somehow seem to have found a way to play in Europe that gets results that’s the name of the game I will admit to being a bit envious of the fact they are in a euro final they at least in Europe seem to be a team who are better than the sum of there parts they are and have to be considered a good European team they have beaten good teams on route it’s childish to say otherwise also people question there fitness that makes u seem a bit daft in my eyes I am sure they are tested like everyone else so saying they are taking something is real moon howling we should stop that chat were they are reflects on us over the season they can’t touch us so as far as I am thinking them doing well makes our season better because in the pinch games vrs them it’s us who have bested them .
We will be the champions soon and that’s great I will be happy cup thrown in means it’s been a decent year I expect us to improve next year overall so i am fine with that I could not give a jot if they win one or more of there finals .
We should look at us not them
It’s a shame Seville will be painted with the sevco brush but they have won nothing