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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Celtic are better
https://twitter.com/andypingu1888/status/1522265914913312779?s=21&t=hYs6z2PCEsIglgtgcbEwTg
Gaun yers
BBC trying to remain relevant. Just pay yer dues and get jee haw interviews.
stebhoy
Suggested something similar re Stephen Welsh not too long ago. As a defensive midfielder could give a bit of protection to the centre defence. Pretty good in the air too, and a good forward passer, and will push into the box to get on the end of a cross. Brave too. Cant all be Tom Rogic. Or Calmac. Hope we keep him going forward.
Very tricky.
CS and CCV are joy compared with last year’s debacle. You’ve got a decent chance of winning the game if the opposition can’t score. However, after immediately shaking my head after reading the headline and giving it some thought I have to say P67 has a point when playing against better quality opposition. But surely we’d need 2 new centre backs?
If we had Ajer and CS, surely you press Ajer and force a pass to the less comfortable CS? The opposition will always channel play to the weakest link? Remember Ajer was a converted midfielder, as was was Niro Bitton. Both were happy with the ball at their feet, but neither was an outstanding defender. Can we have it both ways with our resources? Unfortunately we can’t resign VVD.
It’s a very interesting discussion. You could also argue we should sign stronger midfielders who can take the ball whilst under pressure. Would be sorry not to sign CCV. He’s been virtually flawless.
Larry Henry Jr
@lhenry019
Celtic continues its talks to add Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer, a source close to the player confirmed. Despite other reports from abroad, nothing has been agreed upon yet. Deal likely to get done after Celtic’s final league matches. #USMNT
Second dilemma of the night: to watch or not to watch?
They have an uncanny, horrible knack of scoring the minute I tune in to see how they’re doing, so it’s either watch from the start or don’t watch at all.
dont watch ya bliddy jinx
Re carter vickers just goes to show , here we had a centre half who no one wanted on loan from pillar to post , Celtic take a chance on him ,make him a player now possibly to good for the celts .
Tbfkagm
Don’t watch
Last time I watched them from the start (apart from playing Celtic, of course), was when they wrecked Manchester. It was a stressful experience, but had a happy ending. Unfortunately, the poor folks of Manchester weren’t so lucky. Hopefully the good people of Seville are spared.
I’m pretty confident Jota and CCV both will sign for us. I think guaranteed CL appearances are a big attraction. And CCV knows now that Celtic isn’t a barrier to a USMNT call-up.
Mon the Leipzig.
BIG WAVY on 5TH MAY 2022 6:58 PM
Larry Henry Jr
@lhenry019
Celtic continues its talks to add Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer, a source close to the player confirmed. Despite other reports from abroad, nothing has been agreed upon yet. Deal likely to get done after Celtic’s final league matches. #USMNT
BigWavy ,maybe new team impacting already? Or start of end of season nuttery in meeja .
We do offer a path of high quality football in CL into a potential world Cup place.thats good experience,.however next door in 50xland money can pay.If we lose him.
HH
It’ll be a loss.
HH
Huns set up 5-3-2 in a game they must win…..
Without a goalscorer in the top 5 upfield…..
Hammer these boring Wattenacio fecks….
HH
Paul 67,
I disagree that Jota is ” more important than CCV ”
Imagine we are waiting on the teams prior to playing the huns. The team list comes through and CCV is out.
What a nightmare, how can we replace him ?
The fans know what he has brought to the club and his value.
As many others have said he is our rock and virtually irreplaceable this season.
Jota is definitely worth £6.5 m and I would love to sign him. But when he is out we adapt.
That is the big difference. And imo CCV is without doubt our POTY.
HH.
GREENPINATA on 5TH MAY 2022 7:24 PM
yup!
Devil’s Advocate – beware recency bias.
Compared to last year me and my 13 year old would have been an improvement.
Evening all
I’ve been thinking about how best to participate in the minutes silence for Jimmy Bellend.
The best solution I can come up with is to have wee Jinky belting out Dirty Old Town. I think that would be fitting given the sickening behaviour of Bellend when he staunchly refused to join in the minutes applause for wee Jinky.
Do all feel free to join me.
CELTIC MAC on 5TH MAY 2022 6:20 PM
Thanks Celticmac for heads up,may I in turn point you to a series on R4 narrated by Robert Carlyle looking at The 90s,give it a listen,I caught it
HH
Good evening all from Tennents Bar. A mixture of smirking Tims and desperate huns. Let the games commence……
The big screens at Poundland, will be showing all the difference jerseys, the Bell end washed
Please Leipzig stop this torture
HH
The cards of fate have intervened and their game is unavailable on Hesgoal.
Have no fear, they’re going out tonight.
https://www.thegoatspot.net/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.thegoatspot.net/attachments/untitled-1-173-jpg.120868/
What’s with the bullfighting TIFO? The zombies confusing Germany and Spain?
Blogger
I used to at times watch thro fingers as kris would stride forward
.the confidence in that defence compared to today’s is night and day
HH
Orcs won’t finish with 11 men.
Imho.
I Think it’s about time our Season Ticket Card will be a new one ,mines has seen it’s day
Ball playing centre half, who can defend and who plays for a successful team.
Virgil Van Djik?
That’s why he plays in the EPL.
Fassreifen
They are pLaying Red BULL Leipzig
1-0
Not a good start for the English.
Br’s Leicester 1 down already and West Ham have Cresswell red carded
Huns route one football pays off. 1-0 to them. Plenty of time.
Caught the first programmes, missed today’s but will catch up on BBC Sounds. Interesting hearing Bobby do the commentary. Not only in Trainspotting in the 1990s also in ‘Looking After Jo Jo’ which really was set in the 1980s Edinburgh. Welcome to Thatcherland.
2-0
Leipzig like rabbits in the headlights. 2 or 3-0 on the cards.