As we discussed a few days ago, the margins between success and failure at this level are tight. Two rash tackles inside the box was enough to see Celtic into the playoff round. On another day, the story could have been different.
For me, Kolo Toure’s 30 minutes was eye-opening. His touch was assured, which gave him time on the ball. He was confident enough to hold possession while being closed down, and can carry the ball out of defence.
He talked throughout, often while gesticulating to team-mates to calm down or to push out in a line. It’s not that we had problems in central defence before he arrived, we didn’t, but he gave the entire team an authority we’ve missed. Without him, the game may have ended differently.
This is what a top player looks like in a Celtic shirt.
Craig Gordon had a big decision to make: come out of his box to head the ball, or stay and allow Kieran Tierney to manage the situation. Yes, it was a good finish, but the keeper made the wrong decision. If you head the ball while 25 yards off your line it needs to go safe or you shouldn’t there.
Did you notice Moussa Dembele’s penalty technique? There were two important elements: the pause and the number of steps.
Most players take a penalty as soon as the referee blows his whistle. Moussa didn’t. He waited. Players who wait until a moment of their choosing score a higher percentage of times than players who move on the whistle.
The delay empowers them. They are in charge, they decide when things start. The two step run up further denies the goalkeeper reaction time: “I’m the boss, you don’t know when we start and you’ll have no time to throw yourself about”.
Squeezing the pips
None of the 11 starters were Brendan Rodgers’ players, four joined until Ronny, while seven have been at the club since Neil Lennon’s days. It’s remarkable that we managed to eliminate a team who qualified for last season’s Champions League with players who were caught so short in Europe in recent seasons.
Last night we squeezed the last pips out of the squad. The addition of Kolo and the return of Erik and Jozo will give the defence a formidable look, but we are not right in central midfield, and I know every one of you held your breath when Leigh went down injured.
I left the ground feeling Brendan got a break in getting that squad past Astana (you could argue Ronny could have done with a couple of rash challenges inside the box in similar circumstances). Sometimes you need the breaks to achieve great things.
Oh, and if football was like that every time, every other leisure industry would close. I’m pretty sure no one in the North Stand knew two Astana players were sent off, such was the Festival of Drama.
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Kenny Misser.
Yer a feckin fanny!
HH!!
Nye Bevan….
last page re the ole North Curve, I picked up a leaflet last night. It gave a website address for more information but couldn’t get on….
Dallas Dallas…it was while they were discussing the poor displays by Taylor that Willie Miller said he wouldn’t compare him to ‘bombscare Ambrose’…
fan-a-tic on 4th August 2016 7:17 pm
Craig Gordon didn’t put the ball in the best place, but I don’t think there was much he could do. His priority was to get to the ball before the attacker and get rid without giving away a free kick or worse. The guy who scored still had a fair bit to do.
But when your goalkeeper is put in that position in the first place, your defence has failed in its job.
I noticed some comments earlier tis morning about the Safe Standing section not being full. I have an explanation.
As you know, for games that aren’t on the season card, existing season ticket holders have a deadline by which to purchase their own seat. After that it becomes a public sale for any unsold seats.
Well, not so for the ole North Curve. Part of the deal in getting the licence for this season is that each space can only be used by the existing season card holder. If I hadn’t bought a ticket for last night, no-one else could have, it has to remain unsold. Not completely clear on the logic but there you go.
Kenny Miller believes…Scott Brown only said what he said to get headlines…eh? Yes Tallybhoy, he is a fanny,
a sort of ‘glow in the dark’ fanny…
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 4TH AUGUST 2016 7:35 PM
a sort of ‘glow in the dark’ fanny…
——————————————————-
There’s a business idea right there…
JOBO
They were signing fholk up at the bottom of the stairs,
don’t know if it’s only the standing section allowed.
Sheep making a go of it …..pen
Sheep hard done by there
Penalty Aberdeen and just a yellow for the goalkeeper. With the other Dons player putting the ball in the net 3 seconds later!
Ridiculous refereeing. Aberdeen deserve better!
And the penalty is…………………………..missed.
Boooooooooo
So, in more detail, 2 Aberdeen players bearing in on goal. Keeper cleans out Rooney (clear penalty) but ball rolls to McGinn who knocks it into the net.
Correct decision? Let the goal stand, book the keeper.
Acceptable decision? Give the penalty but the keeper has to go off.
Actual decision? No goal, penalty awarded, yellow card for keeper!
Penalty is then missed.
So all that has changed after all that – the Maribor keeper has a yellow card.
AQN in meltdown I imagine.
I am obviously wrong, but I thot that you couldn’t penalise a goal.
what a shambolic business, but very very funny.
remember turning up at youth football level a few times and having to borrow the home sides “away strip” because of a colours clash
i would try to rent them our “pinkies from lisbon tickets” set,
—————————————–
Rangers could bin strip and release new one DURING this season as row with Puma and Sports Direct rumbles on
19:29, 4 AUG 2016 UPDATED 19:29, 4 AUG 2016
BY ANDY NEWPORT
DITCHING the strip is one option Ibrox chiefs are believed to be considering after Puma released a batch of kits for sale to retailers – despite the club’s objections.
4
SHARES
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image: http://i1.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article8553236.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/gers.jpg
RANGERS could ditch the controversial Puma strip released without their consent and replace it with a new kit midway through the season.
It is understood that extreme option is among a number of moves Ibrox chiefs are currently exploring following the breakdown of their relationship with the German sportswear firm and Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct empire.
The jersey row was sparked on Wednesday evening when Puma confirmed it had released a batch of kits for sale to Sports Direct and other retailers – despite the club’s objections.
Under Scottish Professional Football League guidelines, Gers were required to register their colours for the new season by June 1.
They have already worn the 1980s-style royal blue home shirt on four occasions during their Betfred Cup fixtures – but there remains a possibility a new strip could be rolled out before the season is over.
SPFL rule G31 allows for alterations to be made to the designs so long as the “prior approval” of the league board has been granted first.
READ MORE
The shirt hits the fan as Rangers strips go on sale – but major Glasgow retailer vows to wait for go-ahead from club
Light Blues chiefs would also have to apply to alter the kits lodged with the Scottish Football Association for use in the William Hill Scottish Cup.
However, the SFA handbook does allow for a change, stating: “Exceptionally, a club may, with the approval of the Board, play in colours which are modified from those which have been registered.”
Legal action also remains an option but Rangers want to be sure they are in full possession of the facts surrounding the secretive deals struck between the previous Ibrox regime and Sports Direct before making their move.
Rangers had spent weeks in talks with Puma, who found themselves caught in the middle of Gers chairman Dave King’s bitter war with Ashley.
But they were dismayed to see the firm reject their compromise attempts and instead side with the Newcastle owner when he requested shipments of the Light Blues’ new home, away and third kits be delivered to Sports Direct stores across the country.
The website of rival retailer JD Sports is also offering the new designs for sale – although Glasgow-based outlet Greaves Sports say they will not accept orders until Rangers give their blessing.
That looks unlikely, however. In May, Rangers terminated the intellectual property licence and rights agreement it held with Rangers Retail Limited – a joint venture set up with Sports Direct to sell jerseys and other merchandise by former chief executive Charles Green.
King remains angry that his club receive a reported sum of just four pence from every pound spent in Rangers’ club store and supporters group Club 1872 has advised the Light Blues faithful to boycott the strip launch.
Puma, though, insist it is releasing replica kits into the market in “full compliance with the sponsorship and licensing agreement” it has with RRL.
In a press release issued an hour before the kits went on sale, the company stated: “We understand the rich heritage that is intrinsic to Rangers Football Club and as the team return to the Scottish Premiership, we wanted to deliver a kit that was worthy of this.
“With just a few days to go until the season starts we wish the team the very best of luck in what is set to be such an exciting season for both the club and fans.”
Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-could-bin-strip-release-8563376#OOWdLZ9UmKsHGooD.99
Great result last night.Defanite edge of seat stuff.Thought Broonie was fantastic,KT is a star and Kolo Toure is an inspired signing.Dont want to be to negative but Calum is not good enough for such a vital position.We have never replaced Victor.Anyway can’t wait for draw tomorrow but Pedro must splash the cash
I may be on my own here but I would like to see Aberdeen qualify. They were hard done by the penalty, their goalie should have walked, a good turnout in the sheep pen as well.
DAMO LENNON
It was a collective failure of the defense Gordon included.
I wrote on here recently that if you want to play a higher pressing style then the goalie has to be an auxiliary sweeper.
Best example is Nauer at Bayern.
Gordon is an excellent shot stopper but the other requirements of a modern goalkeeper need worked on
Sipsini,
You are not alone;-). With one exception (from the distant past) I always want Scottish teams to win in Europe. Must be because I’m Scottish, I suppose ;-)
Much conjecture over CG to blame or not.
Bottom line is he’s been generally gash for us in Europe, esp away from home last season, near post shots etc
Needs to rediscover his form that preceded his new contract
TET…
I caught a post earlier that your good lady might be unwell, hopefully all is well.HH
Well done to the Brendan and the bhoys last night, played well in the first half and could have been up 3-0. I thought we took our foot off the gas for long periods in the second half and it got really nervy after they scored. The referee was probably one of the best I’ve seen in a long while and let the game flow unlike that excuse of a ref we had last week. Good bit of Karma after all the talking the Kazhaks did from the end of last weeks game right through to the Kick-off last night.
Well done to Moussa last night for the finish, really pleased for the guy and hopefully many more to come. Cannae believe some guys still moaning about him not really celebrating, same with the goal last week when he was on the bench same shoite, get a grip ffs!
HH
gsu
NATKNOW on 4TH AUGUST 2016 7:37 PM…
Never thought of that…could be useful… :-)
looking through some of the Europa League scores from today …. boy, I am getting old and/or football is changing….
it used to be for most European ties, I would know the teams, and players, and who should win what tie … now, I haven’t even heard of half of the teams, and cant figure out even what country they are from!
the world sure is changing …
Jobo/TET
UEFA rule change on red cards for GK conceding a penalty this season.
It’s a yellow and penalty kick for any foul by the GK in penalty area – only a red if deemed a violent tackle.
e.g. Craig G v Ross Co. wouldn’t have been a red card this season.
Small comfort! :-(
Sheep level at HT,poor referring and finishing may
cost them.
Praecepta.
Thanks for the clarification.
i always support the scottish team in europe, i want them all to progress, and win or draw helps the co-officient, so mon the sheep
Why were Dundalk playing at Tallaght ? Their own stadium not suitable ?
PRAECEPTA
If Craig does the same v Ross county this season the color of card will be red.
You are not factoring in the arbitrary administering of rules in Scotland.
I nearly fell off my sofa last night when Dembele and a few others escaped a yellow for rushing to the crowd in celebration.
Then i remembered it was not a Scottish ref.
Celtic players are subject to different rules in our own country and mssm approval makes it easier for refs to do such.
JOBO…
Like yourself, I like to see Scottish teams do well in Europe.
As for the deid mobs reincarnation, Well they have never had the opportunity to play in Europe and neither should they.
Hope all is well and will catch up soon at the corner. HH
TET –
There is no such rule that says you can’t penalise a goal.
If the referee blows for a penalty and the ball subsequently goes into the net, he has to rule it out and go with the penalty. Any defence could reasonably claim they stopped playing when they heard the whistle.
Also, the new rule states that unless it was serious foul play, a yellow card is sufficient for a last man offence that results in a penalty.
However, the referee could have played the advantage, and still awarded the penalty had no goal resulted.
Paul profetic with his penalty article. difference at present between us through and Aberdeen no!
I remember when Paul used to hang about his blog having a lot of discussion with him about the importance of other Scottish teams doing well in Europe. we were ninth in Europe then with one automatic and one qualifying team in CL.
now in the twenties we need three rounds for one team to qualify. in short we need Aberdeen to qualify because we need other Scottish clubs to help us get up the rankings. it’s self interest.
Anyone heard about GMS going to Ross County on loan.HH
FAN-A-TIC
No doubt our MIBs will interpret Craig was deemed to have looked at the opposing striker in a violent/ aggressive manner = red card.
Reminds me of an old ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’ sketch with Rowan Atkinson as the racist copper with a load of trumped up charges. Funny but true!
To the family and friends of Tommy Carmichael……
Sincere condolence… May he Rest in Peace….
This lad looks superb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaakCddDHm4
Karamoko Dembele Celtic FC – Academy Cup Player of Tournament
Re all this controversy on strips for sale.
Even someone with the commercial acumen of a dead sheep must realise that any other potential manufacturers will want to give this a bodyswerve.
Stupid, very stupid
“jive walking in a built up area”