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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THE GREEN MAN on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 3:00 PM
For a wee example.
Id like to see Tom English have a wee debate with Auldheid.
I know who would come out ahead.
It wouldn’t be the SMSM hack:)
HH
======
I don’t know about that but the first thing I would ask Tom English is did he receive the envelope addressed to him in Sept 2014 from SFM containing a number of documents that fell well within the remit of what SPL lawyers requested of RFC in March 2012, but could not have been supplied as their existence would have made the commissioning had they been provided,, impossible.
If he said no ( he was one of three or four BBC pundits sent the same material) my next question would be do you want them now?
If he replied he had received the package my question would be why did you not investigate?
Richard Wilson was sent two copies of same material but an enquiry to him via Paul Larkin got the answer he did not receive anything.
At some point when the truth does emerge the role of the guys who had the story but sat on it will come out.
The inescapable conclusion is that the BBC simply did not want to investigate a story put on a plate. They are not alone. A well known Red Top having asked for details, is also sitting on it. Another large local outlet have at least asked for patience.
The role of our media in avoiding the full consequences of 13 years of cheating measured from 2000 is just part of the whole story.
That is the hostile environment that Celtic have to operate in. If DK assinated PL I swear the media would say PL had it coming.
Neganon2 is right in what he says about a hostile social environment. Where I think he and others are wrong is in thinking Celtic are playing along with it.
Our problem is we expect others to play by the same rules of decency that by and large mark a Celtic man and I include PL in that category.
It comes as a bit of a shock when you realise you might as well be trying to communicate with an alien from Mars Attacks.
https://youtu.be/MPMmC0UAnj0
Man U 2-1 down – money safe again :O)
Nye
First saw him at Fir Park, think he had just signed and might have been on the bench. However, I was in the stand behind the goals and what he exuded in the warm-up with his new team-mates was confidence, and he looked so happy to be there.
Agree, best I’ve seen since RS, and will never forget his save from Saha’s penalty against Manure.
Corkcelt& Hunderbirds ,I’ve just started ,three years on from BMCUWP,HT AND MINX and 16 roads telling me to post(the first hootenanny) so I reckon I must be the slowest lol
Auldheid
You know as well as I do that the club have info that could destroy the sfa.
I just can’t get the head around why they don’t use it, if anything it would give us an out at least.
I see where you are coming from re we need a league to play in, but ffs, a league that is corrupt and stacked against us, personally I think telling them to gtf is the right and moral thing to do, to go along with it is cheating the support.
HH
THE EXILED TIM on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 6:49 PM
Auldheid
You know as well as I do that the club have info that could destroy the sfa.
I just can’t get the head around why they don’t use it, if anything it would give us an out at least.
Dead simple. Celtic are part of the SFA and complicit in its wrongdoings.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/lack-of-respect-for-molde-and-malmo/comment-page-20/#comment-2736105
Auldheid.
“I don’t know about that”
Your wee example of what questions you would ask English just shows that The Green Man is right!
Auldheid,
Thanks for letting us know that the likes of English have that material. People like Wilson don’t even try to hide their allegiances; English does. But he knows which side his bread is buttered like the bulk of what passes for sports journalists in Scotland. As you say, Neganon2 is right in that regard. I hope and pray that you’re right about Celtic’s stand. I feel you’re right. If only the English media would show interest……
Deportivo come back from 2 down against Barca. 2 great goals too.
Auldheid
a close friend and indeed friend of the blog is an editor at one of the biggest selling papers in Scotland
drop me a line or Paul knows him well also
Peterbhoy,
Thanks, but I have opened kodi a few times, each with the same issue. Perhaps, I’ll try to re-install Kodi but, at the moment, I’ll fiddle with it.
Rebus
Quonno
It does not help that 4 of the guys involved in both UEFA licence in 2011 and failure to provide requested documents in 2012 are awaiting trial.
Nor does it help that it appears BDO have appealed the BTC.
Once these hurdles are cleared it becomes a lot easier to act on evidence that is tangled up in both issues even if not directly related.
It’s a matter of timing. Sure it’s taking a long time but gradually the truth of events from 2000 will be there for all to see.
Quonno
Sorry
That was for TET. He understands the frustration having seen the narrative.
I share it.
Auldheid
A small thing I know , I was talking to my window cleaner today a Motherwell fan, as we usually do I was talking to him about football and the SFA/SPFL came up, he wants Celtic to take the lead however as I told him this then becomes only a Celtic issue, he did agree there is a need for clubs like his [ Mark McGhee has already stated he was robbed of a higher place in the league] as well as Celtic to demand their clubs board act in their clubs interest. It needs to gather momentum the press will do zilch makes you wonder who the unnamed others were who received EBT’s. I think in a court swearing on oath may be the only option to find out
AULDHEID on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 7:02 PM
Quonno
It does not help that 4 of the guys involved in both UEFA licence in 2011 and failure to provide requested documents in 2012 are awaiting trial.
Nor does it help that it appears BDO have appealed the BTC.
Once these hurdles are cleared it becomes a lot easier to act on evidence that is tangled up in both issues even if not directly related.
It’s a matter of timing. Sure it’s taking a long time but gradually the truth of events from 2000 will be there for all to see.
I hope that you are correct.
However, no matter how you cut it, except on two occasions, in its 127 year’s history, Celtic’s management has resolutely refuse to rock the boat.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/lack-of-respect-for-molde-and-malmo/comment-page-20/#comment-2736112
Incidentally he received a healthy tip
Goodnight Timland.
I’ve been lurking all day,lot’s of honest
debate on where we are and where we
should be going,despite the flounce’s
cqn is alive and well,I’ll be back the morra
pre and after match tae catch the chat,
God bless you all,ya shower of UFB.
Parkheadcumsalford on 12th December 2015 6:56 pm
The Guardian have expressed an interest and AT has the case too but is waiting for the court cases to clear.
Frustrating as it has been, if we look at it as preparing the way for change, rather than causing change, we might appreciate the effort was worth it and we have played a part.
BMCUWP IGNORES THE BORES,SCROLLS THE TROLLS on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 2:50 PM
THE GREEN MAN
From earlier.
Would that be the prick who brought in Wim of the stopping ten in a row fame and giving us Henrik. I wish we had that kind of prick around now.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/lack-of-respect-for-molde-and-malmo/comment-page-17/#comments
Spent the day walking and drinking,of course, in Perth. There’s a nip in air so I hope they have the under soil heaters on :-)
Whitedoghunch
Will do but I’d be surprised if his paper had not already been contacted.
Auldheid~Quonno
Indeed I do understand, the frustration gets the better of me at times, but I agree with Q that as a club we are content with our lot.
Now as a PLC, we should be shouting about the corruption from the rooftops, this prob annoys me more than the contentment, after all, it’s all about the money, is it not.
Not that I am happy with the contentment, not for a second.
HH
Good draw for Republic some cracking games in the summer to look forward to. Martin has a great record in cup football.
PETERBHOY/CORKCELT
This has got me thinking. I might arrange a competition, with prizes, to find out who is the undisputed slowest typist on the blog. Details should be with everyone very early in 2018 :))
Dessybhoy
The proper governance of our game is a Scottish football issue.
The statement made at last AGM on Res12 makes it clear it is a governance issue.
The LNS is also a governance issue but is for the SPFL to address representing all clubs.
That is why it features more on the Scottish Football Monitor to reach a wider fan base.
The Aberdeen banner is a small indication that supporters of other clubs see it that way too.
like the draw for the euros…. the trash talking has already begun with my italian pals! should be fun! tough group for ireland though.
proud to be an UFB
Taxi for LVG.HH.
How can a small club like Bournemouth beat Man Utd with a much bigger budget?
Who cares? It’s what makes football the game it is.
2-1 Bournemouth – money made :o)
Pretty crazy the injury lists of some clubs, are players more fragile the last 5 years or just wimps?
AULDHEID on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 7:25 PM
Bad choice of manager by the big team? :o)
Auldheid@6.43
They know… that you know what is happening.
The wont engage with you, because they know you have their measure.
Like you say…In the end there will be no escaping the truth.
But…keep annoying them:)
HH
Harry Arter looks a player in Bournemouth midfield and in the Republic of Irl squad.
AULDHEID on 12TH DECEMBER 2015 7:25 PM
How can a small club like Bournemouth beat Man Utd with a much bigger budget?
Who cares? It’s what makes football the game it is.
Ask Malmo, Maribor or even Morton.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/lack-of-respect-for-molde-and-malmo/comment-page-20/#comment-2736131
Aukdheid
i’m surprised you are surpised, by their chicanery.
Rebus 67 that would probably be best,if your looking for a build in kodi look up husham memar on youtube he does great walk through videos idiot proof even I can follow.
Hunderbirds :0
Pedro bleeding Celtic dry
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CURrKY1W4AAixKJ.jpg
⚽️ Established Big name Manager with proven track record – Check.
⚽️ Speculate to accumulate big spend policy – Check
⚽️ Attract 60 000+ fans for every home game – Check
⚽️ Play in a competitive league environment – Check
Not really anything to stop Manure cleaning up this season eh? ;)
The thing about Bournemouth is what is the pedigree and experience of the manager?
How long has he been with them?
How did Bournemouth get him?
Same with Norwich manager.
What are the characteristics of both?
How does RD compare?
Homework for somebody. :)