I watched Kilmarnock previous home game against Inverness, as shambolic a defensive performance as I have seen in the SPL. Shipping six goals against the team who were, and remain, bottom of the league is the kind of result that can decimate team morale, but St Johnstone’s result at Ibrox last week offered some encouragement that you can get at this this Rangers team.
It’s worth pointing out a few things. Rangers are still four points clear at the top of the league, if we were in that position we would rightly be delighted and confident. Pascali’s goal for Kilmarnock was also only their second goal conceded in eight SPL away games and only their seventh overall in 16 games – getting on for half a season. By comparison, Celtic have conceded 14 goals, including three at Kilmarnock.
While that defensive record is commendable, the loss of Steven Naismith leaves them disproportionately dependent on Nikica Jelavic to maintain their goal-scoring threat, and Jelavic is not known for season-long durability.
When news came through that Sone Aluko had paid his transfer fee to become a Rangers player few of us expected him to make as quick an impact on the league table as he has, single-handedly playing three Kilmarnock players onside at the goal. This is an unfortunate start to the player’s Rangers career but Rangers fans have a reputation for scapegoating (among other things). For some, Aluko’s card is marked. He’ll need a lot of talent to recover from this one.
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Sone Aluko has put more hard cash into rANGERs than Craigie Whyte.
;o)
***
On a completely different note, what sad news about Gary Speed, a successful, respected and well-loved young man. Sincere condolences to his loved ones and the Welsh football community.
Rest in Peace.
Had rangers won today would Sone A luka paid his own win bonus?
Swanseabhoy and Cultsbhoy,
For me i would rather win the Europe League than the SPL. Lets be honest the SPL is all about 2 teams. Winning the Europe League against top opposition from Europe would not only enhance our reputation around the world, but also bring in much needed finance in the future. Just my opinion of course, but we have to look further than the SPL which is dying at present.
Horrible news about Gary Speed! No one with a bad word to say about him, terrible waste. Must have been harbouring serious demons! Certainly proves never judge a book by its cover. R.i.p.
goldstar10
You make a fair point about the UEFA…..what I’m trying to express (probably not very well) is that my priority in terms of victory is absolutely the title.
I’m actually a wee bit worried that a tonking off Athletico could interrupt the current confidence building wee run we’re on.
Now, running away with the league AND a wee run in the UEFA would be very nice indeed.
SwanseaBhoy
Very sad news today about Gary Speed.
RIP
ashk8 Ashleigh-Kate Wilson
#RFCreport Rangers fans are really pleased with Celtic catching up so quickly. Not all of them had enough fingers to count to twelve.
1 hour ago
A baffling position on a day for such unambiguous glee…………..
Remarkable perspective.
Incredible.
Paul67
His card is marked because he did nof tell them to get their money on Killie!
A bit harsh comparing defensive records considering the injuries we have had.
HH
Good to see Stan Collymore talking about his Depression for most suffers it is something they dont want to let others know they suffer from the illness as they feel its a sign of weakness which of course it is not.There have been many famous sufferers Winston Churchil, Spyke Milligan, Tommy Cooper,Stephen Fry to name a few after all if you had a broken leg every one could see it and you would be accepted by society as having a disability but somehow society seems to doubt people who have depression.I have often heard people saying “pull yourself together” which is not helpfull and can easily drive the depression deeper.I feel for Gary Speed he must have been suffering very badly and my heart goes out to his family.We as a society must try and understand this terrible illness and offer support if possible.H.H.
SB- I fully understand your point, UEFA Cup is the gravy but the meat is the SPL- but the UEFA Cup, which many thought would be an additional burden, has been a success so far and has given the players belief.
We certainly don’t want any serious reverse in confidence on Wednesday, mind you!
HH
Everybody know Rangers are playing Hamburg in a friendly in Germany on Tuesday night?
Hmmmm.
SwanseaBhoy
JFH,
one name missing from your list, Meil Lennin and look at how the scottish meeja have helped and supported him eh, their sympathy is underwhelming.
Ashleigh hen,
Wait til we go ahead n then the deduction kicks in,how are you going to count the points deduction when your relying on all four paws to stand up love?
Ooops that should have been.
Neil Lennon
Never listen to Rangers games but I checked the match report just now and thought the stats were interesting… Did this reflect the balance of play?
Possession
Kilmarnock 55% Rangers 45%
Attempts on target
Kilmarnock 6 Rangers 6
Attempts off target
Kilmarnock 2 Rangers 4
Corners
Kilmarnock 7 Rangers 4
Fouls
Kilmarnock 15 Rangers 9
that rangers team really stunk the place out today – we are starting to get the finger out and put them under a bit of pressure. a wee bit of pressure and the wheels start to come off.
we have the tougher run in until the 28th so im not get carried away – but i know, we all know that there is so much more to come from this Celtic team – rangers dont have that problem, rangers were unbeaten until today and had a great record – but 1 defeat and they are only 4points ahead after such a great start to the season.
even look at their bench – they are down to the bare bones.
they will still get the odd helping hand from the MIB without doubt – but to get the penalties you have to actually get in the box, something rangers havnt done too often in the last 2 matches
wonder does McCoist need a mentor or is his job hanging by a thread.
one thing we can 100% guarentee – the attacks on Lenny will start again soon, its in their nature.
anyway i ramble on
RIP Gary Speed
Oalu67
Hope you’re right about the Rangers fans turning on Aluko. He’s paid his money and takes his chance, any player they have who isn’t very good is a drain on their limited finances.
We should know about players being a financial drain as we have plenty!
This weekend is a bonus. We play well,score goals and reduce the goal difference as well as points. A scrappy win at Tannadice and the chase is really on.
Let’s hope we don’t undo the good work by picking up injuries in midweek.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire says:
27 November, 2011 at 17:03
JFH,
one name missing from your list, Meil Lennin and look at how the scottish meeja have helped and supported him eh, their sympathy is underwhelming.
____________________________________________
Very well said (apart from the spelling ;0)
Neil Canalamar LHE Yes Fella your right I had forgoten about Neil Lennon and yes your also right he has been treated despicabely by the media also im ashamed to say by some Celtic Fans.I suggest the tradgedy with Gary Speed should make us think about the pressure Lennie is under while he is copeing with this terrible illness.Neil Canalamar thanks for reminding me. H.H.
Malarkey says:
27 November, 2011 at 17:04
Never listen to Rangers games but I checked the match report just now and thought the stats were interesting… Did this reflect the balance of play?
Possession
Kilmarnock 55% Rangers 45%
Attempts on target
Kilmarnock 6 Rangers 6
Attempts off target
Kilmarnock 2 Rangers 4
Corners
Kilmarnock 7 Rangers 4
Fouls
Kilmarnock 15 Rangers 9
________________________________________________
I could be wrong but in more than most of the Huns games this season the opposition team have had more possession,,,,hopefully we can take advantage of this at home!!!!
Hail hail
Swansea Bhoy,
I’ll be there (I hope) on Wednesday and will be delighted if we get a result but I agree with you. Tannadice is the more important game. Our priority has to be the league title. A wee run in the Europa League would, of course, be very welcome, especially, as it will help with the feel good factor. I know we have the better players; let’s hope they realise their potential. Our manager knows we need an older head or two to bring on the youngsters. Let’s hope he’s gets them. I, personally, will be satisfied with Brown back for the SPL.
Gary Speed RIP. My condolences to his wife and family.
Neil Lennon in need of ‘KINGS’
Neil Lennon has spoken of a desire to recruit experience to augment his youthful side. Picture: SNS
Published on Sunday 27 November 2011 01:10
Experience costs money but relying entirely on youth is a false economy for Celtic, writes Andrew Smith
CELTIC must produce two wins to extend their stay in the Europa League, starting with Wednesday’s hosting of Atletico Madrid. Neil Lennon knows what is required to prosper beyond that, however. “A couple of kings on the park to bring our kids on,” the manager said. “But they cost money, often a fee plus wages.” The regal performers to which the Irishman referred are men of maturity and measure. “A couple of ready-made players who you can just say ‘bang’ and they go. That’s the route we’re trying to go down in January,” he said.
Lennon has tried to go down that route before. And still these sorts are thin on the ground in any analysis of the club’s recruitment policy across the three transfer windows he has been in charge.
In the wake of the 1-1 draw for his youthful, untried side in Glasgow two months ago, Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin crowed that the result had been achieved with “possibly the youngest team to play in the Europa League”. The average age of the Udinese starting XI was 23.27. The Celtic side had an average age of 23.72.
Only occasionally has Lennon sent out teams this season with even a solitary player in the peak-years bracket for footballers, widely accepted as between 28 and 32. Glenn Loovens and Kris Commons, both 28, Lukasz Zaluska, 29, and Cha Du-Ri, 31, are the only four he ever could. In contrast, Rangers rarely put out teams with fewer than four such players. Of course, at 34, Celtic’s Swedish defender Daniel Majstorovic might be considered a wise head, but as Lennon diplomatically put it, he is “the other side” of the peak period.
A lot is being asked of now-integral performers Adam Matthews, James Forrest and Victor Wanyama, a 19-year-old and two 20-year-olds. “The squad is young, there’s no doubt about that, and sometimes there is an inconsistency you have to understand,” Lennon said. “I certainly do as a coach. I think back to when I was that age. I was playing in League Two with Crewe.”
Thomas Rogne is next at 21, Ki Sung-Yeung is 22, while Fraser Foster, Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes are all 23. Then come the old-timers, Beram Kayal and Joe Ledley are 24, Charlie Mulgrew and Emilio Izaguirre 25, Kelvin Wilson and Georgios Samaras are both 26, while Mark Wilson and Paddy McCourt are 27. Were both clubs at liberty to play what would considered their current form XI, conceivably Celtic’s players would be younger than their Rangers counterparts in every position.
It is by design rather than accident that Celtic have no “ready mades” among their recent purchases. The club are focused on buying young players from modest markets without going above the £2.5m mark, then developing them in the hope of selling them on for a profit.
Latest acquisition Mikael Lustig just happened to join last week under freedom of contract…at the age of 24. If the Swedish wing-back were to be sold a year before the end of his three-and-a-half-year deal, he would still be under 28 and Celtic up on the deal. That sort of asset mangement isn’t possible when you bring in “ready-mades”. Two years on, they can often be over-mades who bring no real financial return. Yet, into that bracket you could place Lennon himself, his coaches Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson and other Celtic kingpins Henrik Larsson, Paul Lambert and Chris Sutton. All gave Celtic their best footballing years and no-one would seriously argue that they did not deliver value for the often humungous transfer fees and, always, fat-cat salaries.
The club now could not afford to support so many made men simultaneously. But it is valid to ask if they can continue without a single such individual, given the transience and, at times, youthful fecklessness that clearly filter through in Celtic’s displays.
“I don’t like to use youth as an excuse, but we are trying to build something,” Lennon said. “I’d like to have a few more experienced players. If you look at the young players Sir Alex Ferguson produced like [David] Beckham, he had a [Peter] Schmeichel and maybe a [Steve] Bruce to bring them on. We lack one or two of that age or that ilk, but they are hard to find and cost money.” The absence of them could yet cost more.
Steinreignedsupreme …..16.46……..I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE……. the negativity towards our great Club has been ‘fierce’ and ‘unrelenting’, not least over the past 3 seasons, as they pursued CL money to aid rankers survival, (abject failure) and I have been very disappointed by the few posters who cannot see past their own personal disappointment at individual results….. there’s a bigger picture here and, whilst some constructive criticism is justified, we must remember what we are up against ……..Support the BHOYS …!!!!!!!
Eyes Wide Open says:
27 November, 2011 at 16:08
Am I right in saying Lennon has been quoted saying we are looking for 2 automatic 1st teamers in January?
Think it was in the Scotland on Sunday – he said he wants 2 experienced, 28-31 year olds, not projects but guys who are ready to be thrown straight in.
If thats the case im delighted.
Il not even quiver about why it took them 5 months to realise!
share
Our managers Christian name is Neil!
When he talked about ‘depression’ in his book, he was vilified on here, remember, i do!
gerald766 says:
27 November, 2011 at 17:13
Vilified by who?
Don’t remember even the most negative of posters
getting at wee Lenny for this.
TomEnglishSport Tom English
Henrik Larsson’s first 60 games for Celtic: 23 goals. Anthony Stokes’ first 60 games (his 61st tomorrow): 31 goals. Analyse that…
Steinreignedsupreme
Tell you what..you choose your preferred Celtic sites and write whatever you want…I’ll do the same…
Gerald 766
Agree – I dont like CFC fans referring to Neil as Lennon – its disrespectful.
Don’t agree however that he was vilified on here for writing about his depression- quite the opposite is my recollection.
HH
Very sad news about Gary Speed. Will our Welsh Bhoyos be given compassionate leave? More important things in life than the match midweek.
On the game today. Killie were awful and won. I’m assuming McMoist will be needing a mentor where is Walter and can he work for free?
LB
gerald766 says:
27 November, 2011 at 17:13
Sorry m8 you have lost me there,,,i dont remember any Celtic fans having a go at Neil about his battle against Depression????
Hail hail
Cults Bhoy Hates being 2nd………usernames tell us a lot about people’s personalities …..
If the huns are in Hamburg, I’d expect some bother if there is any contact with the St. Pauli fans.
Summa of Sammi
That was a good post which will touch many. Fortunately I have been spared such darkness although I have friends who haven’t.
My eight year old reminded me today how I am so pessimistic/scarred when it comes to ‘them’.
Me, when Kilmarnock scored: ‘I would settle for a draw now’.
Him: ‘Why..they are getting beat’.
hail hail
CultsBhoy hates being 2nd: 27 November, 2011 at 17:18
“Tell you what..you choose your preferred Celtic sites and write whatever you want…
“I’ll do the same… ”
Fine.
I’ll expect you to do what you do best … stick the boot into Celtic.
I use Neil ‘only’ for a reason, and we should all do this, to get the message across to the punters who come onto this site…….
Gerald766
You are a suspect character.
Who vilified Neil Lennon on here over his depression?
I only remember sympathy and support.
Steinreignedsupreme…17.22…..I’m afraid that has been my impression also