Can we all just agree to change nothing? I know it was a dead rubber and I know it’s different playing against a 10 man defence, but honestly, just, change, nothing.
We had a defender at the right side of defence, not a frustrated winger. That subtly rebalanced the team; Kristoffer Ajer (22) was not 20 yards further upfield to connect to a Mohamed Elyounoussi pass, but he was back to provide cover and balance to the two to his left.
Christopher Jullien and Shane Duffy had their most assured game together – although Shane, you were never winning that ball, you should have shown the player down the line instead of committing to the foul. It was a mistake that would have been sore on another day.
David Turnbull (21) got one goal, one assist and got the assist for the penalty. That is an incredible return for a player who has been sitting in the stand or out through illness all season.
After a couple of substitute appearances in 11 months at the club, Ismaila Soro (22) made his starting debut and was even more influential than Turnbull to the flow of Celtic’s play. The deep lying central midfield player has several jobs: protect the defence, intercept opposition moves, get the ball forward quickly and accurately. A lot of off the ball work is also required; the best in the business are in position to stop moves before an interception is required. Ismaila did all of this very well.
Like Soro, the lack of opportunities afforded to Patryk Klimala (22) made me think he was less effective than our other strikers have been recently. Apparently not. Patryk is all about movement. He can take a ball, bring others into play and – effectively last night – win corner kicks. At no time did he try to beat three players on his own, take note, Odsonne.
After THAT pass at Tynecastle in 2019 you may have wondered what happened to Ewan Henderson (20). The player had a lost 18 months but, like the rest of the midfield last night, he was on his game. He was tidy and intelligent in possession. Use him.
The biggest compliment to the midfield and defence is that Conor Hazard (22) had little to do. Blameless at either goal, he got a foot to a dangerous ball, handled and distributed well throughout.
I don’t know who deserved the win more, the players, the manager or you and me, no doubt someone has been busy running a poll on the subject….. Onto Sunday!
Celtic: Fifty Flags Plus One, an anthology of how Celtic won each of their league titles, is available now. Starting with our first title in 1893, it details how Willie Maley brought consistent glory, then the sparse successes over four decades before Jock Stein arrived in 1965 and the more contemporary wins since.
It will rekindle memories you had forgotten and give insight into how the leagues were won.
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GLENDALYSTONSILS on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 9:00 PM
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Had enough of panic ahead of shrewd pragmatism. Der hun have nothing in longevity.
Auldheid
Can I just say, after all the great work you’ve done on Res 12.
” PLAYER ”
H.H. Mick
Melbourne Mick: Great to see you are still giving the UICSC top an outing. Hope you and yours are well.
TIMBHOY2 on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 8:47 PM
With the Celtic trust the fans could have a voice .,especially at the AGM,The real shysters is The Celtic Supporters Association and The Celtic Affilation ,and The Irish Mob,Lawell has them in his pocket,they are well looked after with Home and Away tickets being never a problem,look after all the fans you creeps,talk about corruption going on with other clubs add Celtic Football Club to the list.
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In the interest of balance I found the CSA much more willing to help out on Res12 than CST in last 2.5 years as I tried to get more involvement from both.
However when CSA went silent in September when supplied with draft of a resolution for upcoming AGM I was a bit surprised but was told by someone more acquainted with CSA rules/constitution that they could not get involved in criticising The Board.
If it is true I think it is a rule the affiliations should change as one of their prime purposes is to transport supporters to games that as Res12 shareholders have uncovered seems not to be subject to the application of rules by SFA if the outcome is one they deem undesirable for commercialor other reasons.
The CST got a bit more interested in the run up to the AGM and as result have a fuller grasp of the issues and know the case for investigation is just.
Personally I think both organisations should be involved after AGM in making sure this important issue is addressed and with growing numbers will be paid heed more than the small Res12 Group pushing for answers for 7 years.
Check article on Celtic Star I linked to earlier.
Der hun is one a season wonder, ride the scum out.
Ave Ave
HENRY JOY
I do admire your conviction .
Just. Change. Nothing.
I’d like to think that we’d change nothing or at least very little…
But last night’s team selection was not, in my opinion, a sign of change of thinking or tactics about the team.
If it had been, then there were much better games to make that change so as to give you an unimpeded impression of it’s effectiveness: certainly more than in an almost meaningless fixture where the result had no effect on the fortunes of either team in this season’s Europa League.
Had we lost the game last night, then it would’ve strengthened the view that the fringe players weren’t up to the rigours of 90 minutes against top opposition, and that their confinement on the bench has been justified. Just as in winning the game, any plaudits for the result or the performance are being qualified by talk of a dead rubber, Lille players not trying, what did we we really learn etc etc.
In summary, it was nice to win & to see some players play well – but very little has changed IMHO.
Unless he’s injured, I believe on Sunday we’ll see the captain back in his usual position in midfield with Barkas or Bain in goal. We may just see Turnbull feature from the start but that’s only 50/50 for me.
Ajer may start at right back but that also depends on how the CB pairing looks.
Those changes would be enough to disrupt the team cohesion & performance IMHO.
Team Sheet CSC
WOO_HOO!!! I’ve just logged the latest email and can confirm that this has been the highest turnout for any gams since I started this wee exercise over a year ago. Still 20 minutes and then the results should be out. CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM
GEEBEE1978
I can’t recall Laxalt, Duffy or Bitton playing in the back 4 last season
Bringing broonie on with 15 mins to go against tiring midfielders could help.us see out games..
El capitano! A celtic legend in the Thornton household. …✊
HENRY JOY on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 9:24 PM
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 9:00 PM
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Had enough of panic ahead of shrewd pragmatism. Der hun have nothing in longevity.
==================
There was a debate on ClydeSSB on whether this current crop of Rangers players whose market value had soared enough to cover their debts would be in same challenging position next year.
They might, but only if they are allowed to carry on with their debt driven model fuelled by money not earned from football coming from God knows where.
They are only in the position they are by spending an extra £6m on players and not paying £9m in tax that they can pay off before 31st March next year from the UEFA money that the same players will have earned either from 1st or 2nd placings in SPFL.
A form of domestic FFP would kill their challenge as they would have to live within their means as every other Scottish club does, reincarnation only applying to the spiritual club that hovers around Ibrox, but it would be interesting to see how they cope as Celtic have had to in our years of decline by selling our best players to stay out of debt and replacing them with lesser players not so much what was needed in certain position, but who have the right age profile for a profitable sell on.
Calling PL a Director of Football is a misnomer, the football player and his ability to meet a vacancy needing filled matters less than the players potential sell on value. For them it is the team comes first, nothing else matters.
That is a structural disadvantage Celtic work under and seem uninterested in getting it changed.
JOBO BALDIE on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 9:40 PM
Like waiting for Sunday’s team to be revealed.
:o)
GLENDALYSTONSILS
Der hun is a one season wonder. Mark my words.
ROBERTTRESSELL on 11TH DECEMBER 2020 7:31 PM
We know what needs changed.
We have no power to do it right now. Build something. Put money where mouths are. The CST is at least a ready made vehicle to build on. I think that is the pony to back, the wheel we don’t need to reinvent but perhaps need to put some new design into. I’ve put my few shillings in and would encourage others to do likewise. You watch what happens if there is decent momentum there. The powers that be will start to feel the pressure.
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Absolutely. Get the numbers, adjust the approach from one that will take a while to bear fruit to one where the buying power of numbers gives more immediate leverage and we are cooking with gas.
Almore
Your kind gift of the United Irishmen top is the one I get stopped
and asked about the most.
And I’ve got hunners lol.
It’s in the car to wear tomorrow at the Dubliner.
My new away top is on ready for my sashay along the beach today
I’m ready to strut my stuff.
If those Exotic Sheilas think it’s hot, wait till they see this Celtic bhoy.
H.H. Mick
JOBO
Great to see your positivity back.
H.H. Mick
Der hun and Keevins wont slow down. Neil Francis Lennon will step up to the pace.
*CQN PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2020-21*
RESULTS FROM GAME #26 – CELTIC 3 LILLE 2 (JULLIEN, McGREGOR, TURNBULL)
Well, that was much better last night. As soon as the game started I was glad to see that we were actually 4 at the back with Ajer on the right. That worked a treat. All of the players who came in looked comfortable. And our centre back pairing was also, in the main, quite solid looking. A new goalkeeper who was blameless for the 2 we conceded. And 15 players who all looked, finally, to be giving everything they had.
With the dust now settled I’m still a little nervous when thinking about the likely starting 11 for Sunday. I hope that Neil is brave enough to stick with at least 2 of the new starts from Thursday night.
Good performances all over the park have made the vote counting much more enjoyable and interesting than of late. So a big thank you to all 83 of you who voted. The highest ever turnout following a game!!
The player that ended up in 2nd place was voted for by 95.2% of those who emailed. Normally that’d be more than enough to win Man Of The Match. He was just unlucky that someone else was even better!
The votes cast for each player (with my own choices asterisked) are as follows –
Hazard: 2
Ajer*: 47
Jullien: 3
Duffy: 0
Laxalt: 17
Frimpong: 0
Soro*: 79
Turnbull*: 81
McGregor:3
Elyounoussi: 3
Klimala: 8
Henderson: 4
Ajeti: 0
Rogic: 0
Welsh: 0
So, the players receiving points for the Lille game are –
Turnbull – 5 points
Soro – 4 points
Ajer – 3 points
Laxalt – 2 points
Klimala – 2 points
And the overall table is now –
1st – Laxalt – 49 points
2nd – Christie – 44 points
3rd – McGregor – 42 points
4th – Frimpong – 35 points
5th – Brown – 25 points
6th – Ajer – 27 points
7th – Elyounoussi – 23 points
8th – Rogic – 19 points
9th – Ntcham – 16 points
10th – Duffy – 15 points
11th – Bitton and Griffiths – 12 points
13th – Edouard – 13 points
14th – Taylor – 10 points
15th – Barkas and Turnbull – 9 points
17th – Ajeti – 8 points
18th – Elhamed – 7 points
19th – Klimala – 6 points
20th – Forrest and Jullien – 5 points
22nd – Bain, Soro and Welsh – 4 points
25th – Bolingoli and Dembele – 0 points
Our next game is a 3pm kick off on Sunday when we entertain Kilmarnock in the league.
Hail Hail!
MM: Great to hear. Say hi to Paddymacoz. Off to bed early as we’re collecting our youngest who returns from Toronto tomorrow morning.
Hugh Keevins!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAQl64syDTg&ab_channel=MackyGaines
ALMORE
Your youngest returning home, that will gladden the heart.
Best wishes to all and tell Prof Marc we still talk of his visit.
H.H. Mick
Our next game is a 3pm kick off on Sunday when we entertain Kilmarnock in the league.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ4O8DerXdw&ab_channel=johnsmithceltic
Ave Ave
HENRY JOY
Thats my tune for starting our journey down to rebel town.
Luv your tunes and positive posts.
H.H. Mick
Jobo a brilliant turnout, must be a record??
Also is the 2 players Soro and Turnbull to keep in? If so I think most would agree with that.
Melbourne Mick I can just imagine you and Big Jimmy strutting your stuff like 2 male models along a beachfront boardwalk with your Celtic tops on impressing the Shipbank sheilas down Melbourne way. 😂
D :)
Dionne Warwick on beeb4.
Brilliant.
She was a big Tim.
So a heard.
Lenny is Core.
LOVE IS so Essential mixed from A long Time ago.
David 66 – If Neil starts with Turnbull and Soro on Sunday I’ll be absolutely delighted. But something inside (not strong!) tells me he might look to reintroduce Christie and maybe Brown. But who knows? Equalkly important, in my opinion, is to give last night’s back 4 a wee run of games in those positions. Plenty to ponder over the next day and a half.
MELBOURNE MICK
God bless ours and yours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61etFdGpXq8&ab_channel=bigmanio
Ave Ave
.
Lennon wouldn’t be that stupid!
To leave out Soro and Turnbull in place of serial losers?
Would he?
Ten’s gone; send these fuggers out so we can be the Celtic again.
Friday night laugh vid.
From RTE
https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1337448804900024324?s=20
Jobo – Philbhoy – Agreed,
D :)
Philbhoy
Yes he would
HH
I won’t sleep for the next 2 nights.
Shit!
The Conservative and Unionist Party admit to murdering solicitor Pat Finucane?
Paul McCartney – Give Ireland Back To The Irish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5il1gXFmEY&ab_channel=nowhereman113
v x