Before this Europa League group got underway the trips to Istanbul and Amsterdam looked daunting. Those games produced two credible draws, but things went wildly wrong elsewhere.
Our goal last night was a peach. Dedryck Boyata split the Fenerbahce defence to open up space for Mikael Lustig to cross for Kris Commons, who peeled off his marker to create the space to head home. Unfortunately only one point was collected as we lost another Keystone Cops goal.
Craig Gordon seems to be struck by a lack of conviction this season. His was not the only failing at our repeated corner kick fiascos but letting a ball trickle through his legs as he appeared caught in two minds is indicative of a player who is doubting himself.
You know Kris Commons scores and creates huge goals for Celtic, we’ve discussed it often enough here. Despite his veteran status and apparent ill-fitting to our system he remains by far our most effective player.
For Ronny, it didn’t go wrong in Europe this season against Fenerbahce or Ajax (I’m absolving him of blame for Efe’s error or a last minute breakaway goal at Celtic Park), it went wrong home and away to Molde and Malmo. We appeared to underestimate both. Did the manager have something to prove against fellow Norwegian managers?
Celtic dominated possession stats in all four games against Molde and Malmo but the Scandinavians exploited the acres of space which simply didn’t exist in our games against Ajax, Fenerbahce or Qarabag, for that matter. Ajax, Fenerbahce and Qarabag got the respect they deserved, not so Molde and Malmo.
The failure is, of course, more complicated than that. Jozo missed the bulk of the campaign, while Dedryck is only just beginning to look like a footballer (lovely pass for the goal last night). Scott Allan looks promising, but we’ve not seen enough of him either due to injury.
Curiously, Ronny’s big 2015 No. 1 striker target, Nadir, looks less like a Ronny Deila player than anyone we’ve bought in years. Knowing we were interested in him, I watched his performances against Celtic last season, and made the same observation at the time.
What happens if your keeper’s form falls off a cliff, one of your new defenders doesn’t settle quickly, two other new players miss months through injury, and your new striker doesn’t morph into a different player? You finish bottom of the Europa League group.
Celtic must now consider their strategy for January. Successive transfer windows have left us weaker, not stronger. Identify the reasons, remediate and we can build on the away performances which bookended this Europa League campaign.
Check out the CQNBookstore. There’s 15 great Celtic books and 10 DVDs, you’ll love them.
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BOOO Huns equalise. Still agree Starry Mon Hibs.
Why do you say that TET. They are only 3 behind and if scores stay the same they will be still 3 behind tonight.
Wheels just fell off the Championship scores :(((
Cos Falkirk scored
Hibs daein’ a Hibs:))
AAGHH. I’ve got to stop this commentary. Hibs lose a goal while I was typing. Doesn’t help that I’m the slowest typist on the Blog.
I read the Tom English piece earlier today, it would be childish to dismiss all the points he makes. We could all make a case for saying that this year’s Euro campaign was a disaster, we could also point out how the costliest part of the campaign was the extent of individual errors.
English goes on to ask why Ronny isn’t under more pressure, for me it’s probably because he won 2 out of the 3 trophies available to him last season and that he is on course to at least equal that and maybe even better it.
I don’t care really that hacks such as English write these pieces but where were the articles having a go at the other managers who failed so appallingly in Europe this season against what can only be described as dross from the footballing back waters that are Armenia and Kazakstan.
Swans equalise against Citeh.
Ah No This is effing ridiculous. Citeh score straight away. I give up.
2-1 Man City 92nd minute.
Corky
Hart looked bad at swans goal. .. beaten at his near post … Guess the press will hammer him like they do up here with Craig
Yayas goal was a great one BTW
I’m afraid to say it but Hibs equalise.
I’m looking forward to Tom English’s article on the slump at Magic Hat Towers in the paper…
Frankterry 2:38
Yep, like the media campaign to judge Ronny purely on his success in Europe – never been the criteria for any Celtic (or other team’s) manager in the history of Scottish football yet a lot of celtic fans have fallen for it. Shame.
———-
Spot on pal.
Anyone remember the great Walter (with his six CL wins in 11 years) only being judged on Europe?
Was Le Guen (unbeaten in Europe) only judged on Europe?
The MSM are desperate in their attempts to cause unrest for us. Don’t fall for it!
corkcelt
LOL
Huns game a draw,
But you were right Corky, Hibs equalised :-)
HH
CORKCELT
Sir, I challenge you to a slow typing duel at dawn. Your choice of weapon sir. Keyboard, iPad or phone?
See the beeb feed is now posting updates from Sevco’s twitter. What’s that all about?
Championship – who cares
Nigh impossible to get a coupon up this season, tis a mugs game
Hibs a draw as well, no change there but it feels like a chance dropped by Hibs. Bolton & Dundee Utd both lose and look doomed. Feel bad for Lenny and would hate to see Arabs go down. Lend them back, Armstrong, & GMS if they buy Ciftci back.
But I warn you, I am the slowest typist in this Parish :))
Glass2/3
See if they were just honest and changed the name to the rangers football association, everyone bar us would be happy.
HH
Well overseasbhoy, I’d like Sevco to stay there forever.
A missed opportunity for Hibs,a wee lesson
for all don’t turn your back on your heritage.
Alan Stubbs scored the added time goal that stopped the 10 on a dreary November night…..
His player (Boyle) has just scored the added time goal that will stop the Huns getting promoted on a dreary December afternoon…..
Hail Hail Stubbsy….
He is one of us
starry plough on 12th December 2015 4:52 pm I’m looking forward to Tom English’s article on the slump at Magic Hat Towers in the paper…
————
Last time I heard him on the radio he said the Warbmeister was doing a fantastic job. (St Johnstone wasn’t mentioned).
Different rules for different clubs managers…
I’m confused. Tom English is Irish, Irvine Welsh is Scottish, Jason Scotland is from Trinidad but at least Stephen Ireland is from Dublin.
OK Hunderbirds, but I bet you haven’t as many last posts on old threads as me . Admittedly It doesn’t help my cause that I tend to ramble on a bit in my posts.
OVERSEASBHOY
I think lots of people on this blog have at least a passing interest in Sevcos’ slithering around the lower leagues. It may be right or wrong – but it’s true!
OVERSEASBHOY 5.02pm
PMSL :)))
Overseasbhoy, Unfortunately Stephen Ireland is from Cork and he is a langer.
The goal that stopped the Cheating 10…..
Love you big Stubbsy…
Alan Stubbs v Rangers (19 Nov 1997) 90+2′ [1-1] SPD, Celtic Park …
https://www.youtube.com › …
Money on Bournemouth,
Man U back 4 Varela, McNair, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson
I have to Admit Warburton is doing a good job at Ibrokes but has anyone noticed he is like an identikit of a Hun the Bauld heid the red Bawface and the aggressive patter . I think they made him at Murray Park. H.H.
Is that no a back 5?
Or is Borthwick-Jackson just one player? :)
Bob o baldy
Pretty much agree with all that
Tom english’s programme on Ken Buchanan was a joy
Nearly had me in tears :-)
Hail Hail