Jota more important than Carter-Vickers

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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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467 Comments

  1. Back in the MoN era did we not go something like 40 European games without losing at CP?

  2. Evening all.

     

     

    Just logged in, Burnley78, sending my best wishes, Mrs BB has lit a candle for you.

     

     

    I pray that this mob do not progress any further than tonight, simply for the people of Seville.

     

     

    Brian

  3. HOT SMOKED @ 9:22

     

    Is it not now quite obvious that Old Firm FC are not the dreadful team that so many on here often claim?We are six points ahead of a team who look as though they will be in the Europa League Final. It reflects better on us if we accept that OFFC are not the poor side that many say they are.

     

    ———

     

    I don’t mind people who either can’t, or, won’t, see what’s plain & obvious in front of them because their ‘love’ of Celtic, and ‘hatred’of *Rangers.

     

     

    What I do think despicible is the bile, venom & name-calling that they are allowed to shower on Celtic folk who are more perceptive and who are not infected by their crippling hatred.

     

     

    That said, I’m happy Leipzig have scored.

  4. IniquitousIV on

    Mourinho with good game management. Player first signals to bench he is injured, then goes down on the field to give the sub time to get warmed up and get instructions. The way it should be done.

  5. JHB on 5TH MAY 2022 9:37 PM

     

     

    I know what you mean but I think you should remember that ` more perceptive` is just an opinion.

  6. Leipzig playing like the home team now.

     

     

    David Moyes sent to the stands for lashing out and kicking a ball at one of the subs.

  7. Does Craigan ever say anything remotely insightful? I’d rather listen to McCoist.

  8. IniquitousIV on

    It has not been West Ham’s night. I was hoping Moyes would get through.

     

     

    All kicking off in Marseille – Feyenoord game. All handbags.

  9. “VINNIETHEDOG on 5TH MAY 2022 9:36 PM

     

    One more please”

     

     

     

    …..but not that one . Damn.

  10. HOT SMOKED on 5TH MAY 2022 9:39 PM

     

    JHB on 5TH MAY 2022 9:37 PM

     

     

    I know what you mean but I think you should remember that ` more perceptive` is just an opinion.

     

    ——

     

    Of course it is!

  11. IniquitousIV on

    4 semis on right now, 8 teams, 7 have either scored once or not at all. Huns have 3.

  12. SFTB

     

     

    “Perception” is reality, not the fragrace by Calvin Klein, so favoured by a ‘clutch’ on here.